The world has lost a beauty pioneer.
John Frieda—a celebrity hairstylist who turned his expertise into a haircare empire—has died at the age of 75, a statement to his salon’s social media account confirmed on Nov. 3.
“John passed away peacefully…. surrounded by his family,” the statement noted. “John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry. He was the person who taught us everything, believed in us, and made us better.”
The John Frieda Salon added, “His talent and passion touched so many, and his legacy will live on in every single one of us. We will continue to do him proud.”
The statement concluded with well wishes for Frieda’s loved ones, affirming its founder will be in employees’ hearts forever.
Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, Frieda’s father Isidore Frieda—who owned a salon in Ealing—initially wanted him to become a doctor.
“I became a hairdresser for all the wrong reasons, to get out of studying,” Frieda told The Standard in 2012. “My father was very angry. But when he realized I was determined, he said I must work for the top salon in London.”
It’s why, at the ripe age of 16, Frieda found himself working alongside acclaimed hairstylist Leonard of Mayfair, aiding on shoots with the likes of Twiggy, Jackie Kennedy Onassisand The Beatles.
One of the hairstylist’s earliest accomplishments was the development of The Purdey, a pageboy inspired cut Frieda crafted for The New Avengersstar Joanna Lumleyin 1976.
David M. Benett/ for John Frieda
He opened up his own salon in central London that same year and, as they say, the rest is pretty much history.
Throughout his career, Frieda worked with clients such as Princess Diana,Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johanssonand more.
In the late ‘80s and ‘90s, he pivoted from being predominantly behind the chair into hair care, developing his own brand of products. The most popular became his Frizz-Ease line, which is still beloved today.
In his personal life, he shared one son with his first wife, Scottish singer and actress Lulu, as well as two children and a stepdaughter with wife Avery Agnelli.
For Frieda, hair was so much more than a business.
“If you have a client in front of you, rather than thinking about the money or what you’re getting from cutting their hair, just think about the action,” he told the British Beauty Council in June. “The reward is giving her the best haircut she’s ever had. That is your reward.”
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