Scots hairdressing icon Rita Rusk has died at the age of 75.
The Glasgow-born stylist was hailed as a "pioneer" and "trailblazer" in the industry after starting out in the 1970s, counting celebrities and royalty as clients throughout her career which spanned more than four decades.
Rita was the first female and the only Scot to be named British Hairdresser of the Year, an accolade she received in 1987 along with her husband at the time, Irvine Rusk.
She was also named Best Hairdresser in the World four times by French fashion magazine Metamorphose.
Described as “one of the greatest” hairdressers in Scotland, tributes have poured in from devastated friends across the industry.
Alan Edwards, who owns Alan Edwards Salon in Glasgow's Merchant City, shared a heartbroken tribute to the stylist on Facebook saying the hairdressing world had been "blessed to have such an incredible hairdresser leave her mark".
Alan added: "Rita Rusk was a hairdressing pioneer in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.
“Rita was the first female, and the only Scot to be crowned British Hairdresser of the Year alongside Irvine Rusk. Together they challenged the status quo in hair! Innovating, designing, creating and inventing were only a few of the gifts Rita gave to our industry.
“I had the great pleasure of working with the Rusks for 10 years and will be forever grateful for the opportunity and skills I learnt from them. So many great hairdressers have come out of the fantastic Rusk stable and have passed on so much creativity and knowledge to many other hairdressers.
“Our industry was very blessed to have had such an incredible hairdresser leave her mark. Rita lived a life and left a legacy. RIP Rita Rusk."
Rita and Irvine Rusk opened their first salon in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in the 1970s before expanding to Glasgow, where they'd go on to open a further three shops. The pair, who had one son called James, travelled the world to present shows and seminars in Europe, the US and Japan throughout the 70s, picking up an incredible roster of customers along the way including Duchess of Kent and actress Greta Scacchi. The couple split in the late 1980s but Rita continued to develop the brand.
Scots celebrity hairdresser Pam Doc paid tribute to the stylist on Facebook, saying: “Rest in peace Rita Rusk. Thank you forever. Blessed to have been part of your team.”
Another client posted: "My mum took us to Rita Rusks on west Nile Street all through my child hood to get my hair cut. I still remember the amazing experience and service I had in there as a young girl. Then going on to complete my work experience at 14 in Rita’s salon I new I was going to become a hairdresser."
While another wrote: "Thank you for sharing. Many fond memories. Sad day for the Hair Industry. A true ‘Trailblazer’"
The cause of Rita’s death has not been revealed.
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