Meet Cassie Russek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassie Russek.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Cassie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story starts in a theatre. I grew up in theatres, my whole life. My mom is an extremely talented actor and would take my brother and I to rehearsals with her. I literally did homework in the house of many, many theatres, and I’d watch the beauty and art of what was happening in front of me.

I remember clearly seeing my mom in Follies, wearing a blonde wig (my mom has jet black hair) and I couldn’t even believe the idea of my mom wearing a bleach blonde wig. It changed her appearance in every way, maybe even helped her performance to be this character? Im likely over analyzing that 😉 but none the less, I was baffled to see my mom so changed on stage. Over the years, During college- I realized I needed to focus back into art and creation in some way- so I went to cosmetology school. After graduating from Citrus Cosmetology, I worked for Toni & Guy and quickly realized I needed something more artistic than a salon, I went to work for Disney styling wigs for the Princesses, Parades, Shows, etc – it was incredible. I loved creating characters and I loved being part of that creation process. While at Disney I was hired at Cirque Du Soleil and made my way through all of the theatres in Los Angeles, it was my personal heaven. I designed many productions of musicals, and I assisted my mentor Vanessa Dionne on many of her designed productions- truly of a gift. While working on theatre, I started working on the Late Late Show with James Corden, I was able to take my love of wigs and live production into TV and it was just the best. I’ve since made my way into film as well and I love and adore every single facet of turning anyone into a character!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has NOT been a smooth road at all. This business is tough. REAL tough. Making it in our business takes an extreme amount of hustle and grit, you have to be willing to seek the jobs- the jobs DO NOT seek you. You have to be willing to sometimes work for hardly anything to get your name out there. I have had many years of crazy struggle and I am so grateful for all of it, it really does make you stronger as a person and in your craft.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I specialize in wigs and hairstyling. I love nothing more than creating a character. A character that people will talk about for years after it’s out there. Recently I worked on Birds of Prey, which is a spin off story of Harley Quinn starring Margot Robbie- I am really proud of what we did in that trailer. The work is beautiful (designed by Oscar winner- Adruitha Lee) and every day I would watch the monitor and just revel in the beautiful wig work. Currently, I see so many people already recreating the work on Instagram and I think it’s so incredible that people do that. The trailer isn’t even out yet, and already they are trying to recreate each look. It’s pretty awesome.

I remember vividly in hair school saying “I will never in my life do fingerwaves, wet sets, and pin curls again”. Which is hilarious because it’s basically all I do now, my school taught us so well and I am so thankful to know that aspect of period hairstyling.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I am thrilled to see so many talented wig stylists in our industry. I love seeing the most incredible characters on our big screens. I love the amount of memorable characters being created in each film I see, each show I watch. I am also seeing this wonderful shift in education and everyone is so excited & eager to learn. I hope that is a trend that stays!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: CassieRussek

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