Under the name "Riqué,"Richard Patire has become an accomplished "image stylist" and has his own line of hair care and cosmetics called Self Art, which include his signature hair care products called Riqué and two inventions of eye art and lip art.

Riqué finds success in styling stars

The "man behind the image of the stars" sits on a comfortable wrap-around-couch in front of a wall of windows that reach towards the ceiling in his downtown Franklin apartment above Peggy's Place on Main Street.

Not a single curtain covers the wall of glass, and sunlight pours into the windows and bounces off a series of Mexican masks that he inherited from his brother who passed away.

Ever since Richard "Riqué" Patire's older brother Sean died of AIDS four years ago, he has been on a creative voyage into all areas of artist endeavor.

"I split my time and energies between my image work and my writing, acting and singing," said Patire.

Patire branches his life into three areas including "playing hard, working hard and resting hard."

Patire said that his brother was instrumental in teaching him to "play hard"

"Sometimes it takes effort to play hard," said Patire. "My brother taught me to enjoy life during his last nine months he lived. This was one of the most bittersweet blessings of my life This taught me that there's more to life than movies and millions."

Patire has explored all areas of the acting world which includes working on a CBS special called XXX's and OOO's, a pilot based on the music industry, and performing in seven episodes of America's Dumbest Criminals.

"I'm a character actor," said Patire. "America's Dumbest Criminals allowed me to play all kinds of different roles, from dumb criminals to slime-bucket attorneys."

Currently he is working on several acting projects including a film for the Watkins Institute and a screen test for the Watkins Institute and a screen test for a company that is in the business of shop-at-home products.

"I had two screen tests last weekend and got both gigs," said Patire. "I'm really grateful that I ask for signs from God, and I get them."

Patire is also co-writing a screen play about his brother's bout with AIDS, and has titled the piece "Lemon AIDS"

Patire originally moved to Nashville from New York with music in the back of his heart. He is a writer of music and a performer.

"My music is likened to 'inspo pop', and is definitely up-beat pop and R & B," said Patire.

"Our music is a nondenominational message with peace behind it, and a portion of the proceeds goes to humanitarian and environmental causes," said Patire. "The music is love and light-oriented."

When Patire was 16-years-old he decided he wanted to be a hair stylist until he matured, and then go back into his music and acting.

"While all the guys at my high school were playing football I was going to barber school at Capital Institute of Hair Design in New Jersey," said Patire. "After ten years I started acting again and taking singing lessons again."

Patire originally came to Tennessee from New York because a friend told him he would really enjoy it. Three weeks later he headed south.

"I fell in love with it here,"said Patire.

Patire, who freelanced hair styling in New York, maintained his clientele for a couple of years flying up whenever he could.

After living in Nashville for three years, Patire opened his own salon in Green Hills. Under the name "Riqué" he has become an accomplished "image stylist" and has his own line of hair care and cosmetics called Self Art, which include his "signature hair care products called Riqué and two inventions of eye art and lip art."

His clients have included the Judds, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Lyle Lovett, Alabama, Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, Diana Ross, Travis Tritt and many more.

Rosanne Cash talked about Patire's style techniques in his videography.

"He (Patire) is real sensitive to each person's personality," said Cash. "He doesn't try to change any one's personality."

"I look at style as a total image, not just hair and makeup, but also wardrobing, and inner beauty,"said Patire.

Patire is also planning to open a spa where people can treat "their inner beauty through relaxation.

Patire loves his Main Street apartment.

"I've been here a long time, and I'm still not bored with it," said Patire. "My apartment's a little bit of LA, and a little bit of New Your city." Patire is in the process of purchasing the front apartment space directly above Peggy's Place which he tags.

"The Space, the place that anything can happen." Patire will rent the Space out for photo shoots, videos, meetings, parties and anyone else who might need the area. The Space will also serve as the "Green Room" for the Downtown Franklin Association.

Patire's other endeavors include helping charity organizations including Nashville Cares, Human Rights Campaign, hospice organizations and more.

"I just want to do anything that can make the world a better place,"said Patire.