Our Stylists:
Richard Penna • Gilles Thibault • Robert Falanga, manager • Michael Cantarella, manager • Stephen Szymanski • Diane Penna • Grisel Carrano • Donna Paulsen ( not shown) • Beata Iwanczuk • Rose Deiso • Danielle Szerszen • Billy Szostek • Christine Maturo

Our Colorists:
Sharon Falanga • Amy Paleski • Chet Lapin

Our Hair Extensions Specialist
Hector Cruz

Our Assistants

The Front Desk Staff:
Lori Pace, Manager • Grace Cavuoti • Gail Rainey• Rachel Aceto

  

Richard Penna has been making people more attractive for 38 years. He has owned and operated the Richard Penna Salon for 33 years, 28 of them happily in Hamden, Connecticut.

Richard became nationally known with his work on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show in 1987and was honored with two Emmy nominations. With Ms. Raphael, Richard helped create the "makeover" genre that continues to be popular to this day. He helped build the self esteem of many of Sally's guests.

He has worked as a hair stylist on many movies, TV shows and countless publications such as Glamour, Life, Parade,US, People, Good Housekeeping and Redbook. During his 17 years on the Sally Show, he has styled many celebrities such as Diane Sawyer, Joan Lunden, Roseanne Barr, Beverly Sills, Tony Bennett, Mary Wilson, Michael Bolton, Cybil Shepard, President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter and Marlo Thomas, to name a few. He also traveled all over the country with Kitty and Michael Dukakis as a personal stylist during the 1988 presidential campaign.

Richard works diligently for women with cancer, in his salon and through the "Looking Forward Program " founded by friend and cancer survivor Ellen Swirsky. In association with St. Raphaels Hospital, he has mastered a natural look for his clients with cancer using hair pieces and wigs that are virtually undetectable. His compassion and support often turns tears to smiles. Other charities that Richard holds dear are Yale Pediatrics, Y-ME, MADD, St. Raphaels Charities, Illiotis Colitis Charity, The Ronald McDonald House and Aids Project New Haven. His belief that one must give back to the community has always been important to him, and for him, the benefits have been numerous.

Aside from his many awards and business achievements, Richard is most proud of his staff, the majority of whom have been working with him for up to 25 years, an amazing accomplishment in any business. Richard contributes his success to honesty, hard work and never saying NO or I CAN'T. His easy personality inspires clients to put themselves entirely in his hands, then he works his magic and magic it truly is.