Long careers of 3 top hairstylists built on respect, work ethic
Victor Manno, Philip Pelusi and Arnold Zegarelli have each withstood the test of time in the beauty business for more than 50 years.
There's a mutual respect among the three hairstylists, who are still going strong. Manno, 76, works at the newly opened PureBeauty Salon & Spa, formerly Macy's Salon, Downtown. Down the street, Zegarelli, 79, has a space inside Izzazu Salon, Spa & Serata. Pelusi, 74, has an office on the South Side near one of his salons.
Pelusi says Manno and Zegarelli celebrate the best aspects of the art of hairdressing and represent vital principles of success.
“They are the generation that built and elevated the hair industry and Pittsburgh style,” Pelusi says. “Clients challenge and encourage us, and we develop an immense appreciation and gratitude from those relationships. We all have consistency and a respect for clients and each other.
“We have a common core, and we are still on our journey,” he says.
“Philip and Arnold are both great artists with an immense amount of imagination,” Manno says. “They're innovators. We went to beauty school at the right time.”
Their work has been recognized nationally and internationally with awards and honors, but it's the one-on-one client interaction they are most passionate about.
You'll find Manno at the salon most days. Pelusi travels to New York and other areas and works from Pittsburgh where he has a training center. Zegarelli spends Thursdays in the salon, and works as an educator and motivational speaker.
They all are up before the sun, because they have clients waiting. They are in their element in a salon.
Manno greets client Judy Linaburg from Mt. Lebanon by unbuttoning her coat and giving her a hug and kiss. Zegarelli takes the arm of client Mindy Gallie from New Wilmington and guides her to the chair so he can give her a haircut. Pelusi walks through his South Side salon and warmly greets stylists and clients.
All three dress impeccably in fitted suits, crisp, clean shirts, ties and dress shoes — every day.
They got into the business of hair for the love of it, and they've been able to sustain a following because they offer more than a great cut. They talk to clients — and, more importantly, they listen.
A strong work ethic, as well as having supportive family and friends, has helped them along the way, they says.
Philip Pelusi
Pelusi, who opened his first salon at age 21, credits his sister with influencing him by bringing home French and Italian Vogue magazines.
“I was fascinated by the fashion and hair design and photography of those publications,” says Pelusi of Shadyside. “This inspired me to develop as a hair designer and photographer and take photographs of my designs through the years.”
Pelusi, originally from Bloomfield, sold his car to pay for beauty school.
“The first time I cut hair, it just felt natural,” Pelusi says. “The girls had a better idea how to do hair, so it took me some time to learn, but I worked at it.”
His wife, Jennifer Danilchick-Pelusi, is sales and marketing director for Tela Beauty Organics by Philip Pelusi.
“Philip is talented, and he has drive,” she says. “He's magic. He's creative and has ambition. He's more than a salon owner. He is a humanitarian and an innovator.”
Pelusi has a knack for securing great talent, says Wadria Taylor, executive director of Style Week Pittsburgh, where Pelusi's team has been involved with hair and makeup.
“He has an amazing group of professional stylists who know the latest trends and are very creative,” Taylor says. “We show them our vision, and they take it to the next level. Philip is a visionary. He connects with people who make sure his brand remains consistent. He is very forward-thinking, and, with his connections in New York, he brings the latest in the beauty industry here to our region.”
Victor Manno
Manno of South Fayette has moved from Saks Salon to Kaufmann's to Macy's and, currently, PureBeauty Salon & Spa — all the while continuing to work on his craft. He has done hair for celebrities, such as singer Phyllis Hyman, singer-actress Melba Moore and actress Dina Merrill.
“Victor is like a magician,” says Lisa Lizanich of North Fayette, who has been a client for the past 17 years. “He does unbelievable color, and his cuts are on trend. When I first came to Victor, I asked for the head stylist, and I haven't let anyone cut or color my hair since.”
Clients travel from Arizona, California, Houston and New Orleans to see Manno, who started as a barber in the Navy and cut hair aboard ship. But he found those styles boring, so he decided to go to Pittsburgh Beauty Academy.
“It has been a great career for me,” Manno says. “I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have never woken up and thought, ‘I don't want to go to work,' I have put a lot of time into what I do, and I am always learning. It's as important to learn what to do as to learn what not to do.”
Co-worker and stylist Shelley Woodall of Monroeville says Manno is an inspiration and that no one has a better work ethic than he does.
“I have no regrets,” Manno says. “I raised a family and provided well for them in a profession I love. I will keep doing it as long as I feel well.”
Linaburg says Pelusi, Zegarelli and Manno, who has been cutting her hair for more than 45 years, come from an era when hair was a big thing and the industry had a strong presence.
“For me, it's not about a male or female hairdresser, it's about who is the best, and Victor is the best,” Linaburg says. “All three are consummate professionals.”
Arnold Zegarelli
“My passion is I like to help people; Philip and Victor do, too,” Zegarelli says. “We all love doing good work, but it's more than that with the three of us. ... I call us the three wise men. I admire them. We have all withstood the test of time. We share the same values.”
Being professional is why the three men dress up for their clients.
“Since I am only here one day a week, I savor every moment,” Zegarelli says. “I believe in respecting the person sitting in your chair. And it's my job to make her, or him, feel good about themselves.”
It's also important to give the right cut that should be adaptable to a person's face, body, self-image, career and goals, and as you age, your hair should be updated and reflect who and where you are in life, Zegarelli says.
Gallie has been a client of Zegarelli's for 30 years. She heard him speak at a conference and had to meet him.
“He motivates you,” says Gallie, who drives an hour and 20 minutes for a hair appointment. “You build up a rapport over the years. He is an extraordinary man who does extraordinary things. He is the epitome of discipline. He doesn't just talk, he acts on what he says.”
In high school, Zegarelli had an affinity for hair, and girls would ask him how they should do their hair. He loved talking about hair and helping them look their best.
“My mentor is Arnold,” says Emilio Cornacchione, co-owner of Izzazu with Gino Chiodo. “Arnold is the epitome of discipline and great mentorship. He always focuses on the positive in every situation — both professional and personal. He's taught me about having balance in my life.”
Chiodo says Zegarelli's quotes and sayings provode motivation, such as “BAG — Blessing, Accomplishment and Goals” and “No one cares about what you know until they know you care first.”
Master stylist Peggy Glatch was Zegarelli's assistant for 25 years and, now, does some of the clients he used to do.
“He walked me down the aisle for my second marriage,” Glatch says. “He is a great hairdresser, but he also is a great teacher. He taught me everything I know. I was in a shell when I met him and, in about a month, I felt more confident. He makes me smile.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at jharrop@tribweb.com or 412-320-7889.
