Staff Bios
Stylists
Arline Kaiser
Senior Stylist
Arline has been working as a stylist for 36 years. She trained intensively at Hair of Fairfield and worked at the original Creative Company before moving on to Le Pli in Cambridge and Arlington, Massachusetts. From there, she went to work at high-end salons Equinox and Pacino & Co. on Boston’s exclusive Newbury Street. In 1999, Arline returned to Connecticut and to Creative Company Salon and Spa.
Although she can provide any kind of hair service her clients’ request, she really enjoys giving consultations to new clients. Arline has always enjoyed the “people” side of the salon business and when it comes down to what matters most in her work, it’s all about the relationships she’s built with her clients in her time behind the chair. Whether she’s donating her time and talent to children with cancer at a prominent Boston children’s hospital or visiting sick clients at home or in the hospital when they can’t make it to the salon, Arline knows that what she does as a stylist is all about making people feel good.
Arline also enjoys the creativity her job brings and “loves using highlights and color to explore all kinds of possibilities” for her clients’ looks.
She was recently asked to lend her styling talent to actress Rue McClanahan for her October 2007 performance of her memoir titled “My First Five Husbands” at Bridgeport’s Playhouse on the Green.
Vanessa Carpenter
Master Stylist
Vanessa has been in the beauty industry for 35 years and has been with Creative Company Salon and Spa since 1996. While she was trained at the National Academy in Bridgeport, she feels that her career has been a “lifelong learning experience.”
Following her formal training, she apprenticed at Hair of Fairfield and worked at Moda Capelli, also in Fairfield. Over the years, Vanessa has received additional training at Sanrizz International Hair Salons in London and the Graham Webb Academy in Washington, D.C.
Vanessa can “do it all”—from cuts and coloring, to highlights, perming and relaxing. Her enthusiasm for her work is evident in the individualized style she brings to each of her clients and she credits this passion to a continually evolving industry and her love of the beauty business.
Michael Sorge
Master Stylist
Michael has been in the hair and beauty industry for 30 years and has enjoyed his career at Creative Company Salon and Spa since 1984. Trained at the Leon Institute of Hair Design in Bridgeport, Michael has refined his techniques over the years in Washington, D.C., New York and Boston with training from Cobella, Tony & Guy, Graham Webb and Redken.
Michael prides himself in his ability to satisfy any client’s needs—from the 3-year-old to the wedding party to the business professional. He takes particular joy in being the stylist for several generations of the same family. His time in the industry has allowed him to balance the latest techniques with his clients’ individual style citing that “personal style is more important than any trend.”
Michael acknowledges that the greatest recognition he could ever get for his work comes from the satisfied clients that sit in his chair. His fellow stylists however, recognize that Michael is “beyond creative and knows almost reflexively how to replicate any style. He’s got the mechanics, the artistry and the instinct to know how to do it.”
Tracy Sagar
Senior Stylist
Tracy graduated from The National Academy of Hair in Bridgeport in 1982 and has received additional training in Connecticut, Boston and New York with such notable names as Tony & Guy, and Redken. After her formal training, she worked as a stylist at L.J. Martin and Jim McGrath salons in Fairfield.
Tracy has been with Creative Company Salon and Spa since 2000 where she “does a little of everything.” While she specializes in cutting, coloring, perms, highlights and updos, she especially likes to do highlights and cuts for her clients because she “likes seeing the changes” she brings to their look.
Her colleagues describe her as friendly and outgoing and those aspects of her personality are reflected in the work she does for her many satisfied clients.
Mallory Frangione
Stylist
Mallory is the most recent stylist to join Creative Company Salon and Spa. Though she graduated from Fairfield’s Brio Academy in the Fall of 2007, she has been with the salon since 2005 as an Assistant at the back bar.
Her passion for her work is evident and she’s looking forward to her time at Creative Company. Specializing in cutting and coloring, Mallory’s favorite service is the blow-dry style. If you’re looking for a fresh look and would like to try something new, or simply want an update to your existing color or style, Mallory is ready to help.
Aesthetician
Lauren Calabrese
Esthetician, Makeup Artist & Salon Coordinator
Lauren graduated with honors from St. John’s University College of Professional Studies in New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management and went on to train as an Aesthetician at Brio Academy in Fairfield in 2006. Lauren has been with Creative Company Salon and Spa since 2005.
Being one of the youngest members of the Creative Company Salon and Spa staff doesn’t bother Lauren because she “continually finds inspiration in the work of others” and can provide her clients with the latest information and techniques in skin care and makeup. Her extensive knowledge of the salon’s product line results from Master Classes with Repêchage and B. Kamins Chemist and she can treat a wide range of skin types and conditions including acne, aging skin, hormonal and peri-menopausal skin and rosacea. As a certified M·A·C Pro Makeup Artist, she rounds out the salon’s offerings with facials and makeup services including Bridal Makeup, makeup lessons, eyelash tinting and brow contouring and design. Though she provides many of the spa services at Creative Company, makeup is her passion. Her style runs the gamut from natural looks that perfectly compliment her client’s coloring and features to “bold, intense looks that make a statement.”
Lauren was asked to lend her makeup talent to actress Rue McClanahan for her October 2007 performance of her memoir titled “My First Five Husbands” at Bridgeport’s Playhouse on the Green.
Nail Technician
Dee DiVincenzo
Assistants
Terry Minotti
Assistant
Terry has been an Assistant at the back bar since 2003. She graduated from the Sherwood School of Beauty and Culture in Bridgeport as a Stylist and Cosmetologist in 1980. Although she left for a time to pursue an opportunity with local artist Deborah Schneider doing fabric painting, mural work and portraiture, she returned to the beauty industry as a stylist and makeup artist, working in Fairfield salons.
At Creative Company Salon and Spa, Terry performs shampoo services, color pull-through and neutralizing treatments for perms.
Catherine Correa
Receptionist
As receptionist, Catherine has been greeting Creative Company Salon and Spa clients since 2004.
She holds a Master’s Degree in ESL and teaches Spanish at Joel Barlow High School in Redding. She’s continuing her education with an additional degree in School Administration and hopes to eventually earn a Doctorate in Education.
Pearl Grace Collections
Leslie Levitz
While you’re at Creative Company Salon and Spa, be sure to browse the jewelry and accessories on hand at Pearl Grace Collections.
For the past 7 years, owner Leslie Levitz has been offering patrons unique and original accessories including Tano and Mary Francis Handbags, Leatherock Belts and Whiting & Davis Accessories. Her jewelry includes sterling silver or 14 karat gold with semi-precious stones and pearls. Many items are original, hand made works of art. The wide variety of products also includes fine metal ware from Beatriz Ball and candles from Slatkin & Co.
Whether you’re looking for special imported items or one-of-a-kind pieces crafted by local artisans, Pearl Grace has something for everyone.