FUTURISTIC REFURB for ROCK PAPER SCISSORS

By Louise May

At the core of Rock Paper Scissors is multi-award-winning salon owner and creative director Pauline McCabe. Renowned as Perth’s authority in hairdressing, education, and mentoring, Pauline is a regular session stylist for International Fashion Week hair styling.

Pauline’s journey, from the quaint streets of Paisley, Scotland, to the vibrant shores of Perth, Australia, is a testament to her flair for travel and unwavering commitment to the artistry of hairdressing. With a devotion to creativity, Pauline flourished under the mentorship of industry icons like Trevor Sorbie.

Ask any hairdresser where they draw their inspiration, and the answers can range from fashion, nature, travel, and film sets. For Pauline McCabe, the answer is more visceral. With a background in fine art and as a talented painter, her creative thoughts are often, quite literally, drawn out in one of her sketchbooks.

“My background in art has been a great addition to my career,” she acknowledges. “It’s informed and developed my style and given me a visual eye for line, balance, and form. I always reference back to art in my hairwork.”

In the dynamic world of hair and beauty, Rock Paper Scissors has emerged as an award-winning hair salon recognised internationally. Conscious, alive with a fresh perspective, and a touch of sophistication, Pauline enlisted Jessica Alice Design to re-imagine the salon space and elevate the client experience.

A Year of Excitement

It’s been a whirlwind year so far for Pauline. Starting in January at Paris Fashion Week with Jean Paul Gaultier and Simone Rochas, she worked alongside Holly Smith, whom Pauline began collaborating with in 2023 on Boss in Milan. This incredible show saw Pauline working on hair for Gigi Hadid. Back in Australia, she participated in the O&M Ambassador Conference in Byron Bay at the Sunranch.

The following week, Pauline attended London Fashion Week, working with the incredible Anna Coffone on Holzweiler, Chet Lo, and David KOMA.

Next, she collaborated on an on-stage educational Masterclass with Natalie Anne in Perth, showcasing her fabulous new product range. Pauline then travelled nationally, educating for O&M on their Future Fashion Classes and preparing teams for Sydney Fashion Week, where she directed some of the shows for ghd and O&M as their brand ambassador.

“Building my team and brand is crucial to the success of my company,” Pauline says. “After 14 years, we have grown from strength to strength. Now with a team of 20, we have 5 apprentices.

Developing our youth is the core and future of our industry, and I am passionate about educating and mentoring our future generation. This year, I will continue to work across Fashion Week, nationally and internationally, as well as creating new collections and mentoring my creative team with their photographic work.”

Pauline’s commitment to excellence and environmental responsibility is reflected not only in her work but also in the salon’s ethos. The salon boasts a highly skilled and personable team dedicated to their craft and exceptional customer service.

The Refurb

Pauline’s vision is to infuse creativity and modernity, showcasing the brand for what it is today, with an emphasis on forward thinking. On the first meeting with interior designer Jessica Alice, when ideas were presented for the space, Pauline shared one of her concept boards for the Aus Hair Fashion Awards collection. “The idea behind this concept was based on the increasingly widespread concept of artificial intelligence and its juxtaposition with the natural world,” she explained, “embracing the hyper-natural spectrum of colour.”

“The duality between our visions was strikingly apparent as we shared a glance and realized our worlds had collided,” says Jessica.

Jessica developed innovative ideas, turning the salon into an art gallery-like space showcasing “commissioned pieces from local creatives”. Her fresh, modern designs brought a completely new feel to the space. Fremantle, WA, has a vibrant atmosphere of creativity, community, and style, which Jessica integrated into her designs.

“I’m all about building relationships that last a lifetime,” says Jessica. She connected with local makers and artists who pour their souls onto canvases, using their work to enhance the salon’s aesthetic. This approach elevated the salon and supported the local creative community.

Standout Features

One of Pauline’s favourite pieces is an organic hydroformed sculpture by Douglas Powell. “I aimed to design a freestanding sculpture using the organic nature of unrestricted hydroforming. The bends in the shape result from variations in volume throughout the structure. When a larger volume transitions to a smaller one, it forces the steel to bend,” explains Douglas.

Also featured are three turned Tennon lamps in Azure Cobalt blue by Manner Furniture, adding a pop of colour in front of the stainless-steel hair bar.

Jessica Rayment, originally from the UK but now calling Australia home, embraces the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. With prior experience as a project designer specialising in commercial design and build, she has transitioned into a creative stylist and interior designer.

Collaborating with developers, architects, builders, and fellow interior designers, she operates under Jessica Alice Design, an emerging studio in Perth specialising in interior design and editorial styling. Jessica prioritises building lasting relationships and supports local makers, small businesses, and artists throughout her creative journey. Together with her collaborators, she brings dreams to life, one space at a time.

Credits:

Salon: @rockpaperscissorsfreo + @pauline_mccabehair

Interior designer: @jessicaalice_design

Salon photos: @emtangles

Duzi Objects, Douglas Powell: @duzi_ objects

Manner Furniture, Mark Lilly: @mannerfurniture

Blackbutt timber bespoke furniture, JP woodwork: @jpwoodworkswa

Original fit Out, Ohlo Studio: @ohlostudio