John Frieda, the legendary hairstylist who went from apprentice to building a $450 million haircare empire, has died at the age of 75.
Known for creating iconic hairstyles and working with some of the biggest names in entertainment, Frieda built a career that made him one of the most influential figures in the beauty industry.
We all love seeing how our favorite celebrities look, but have you ever wondered who’s behind some of their most iconic styles? While the stars get all the attention, there are often very talented people working behind the scenes who rarely get the recognition they deserve. One of them was John Frieda.
His death was announced by his salon team in an emotional statement shared on Instagram on November 4.
”It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully … surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
”John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry.”
He died of cancer at a hospital near his home, according to Gail Federici, his longtime business partner.
From a family hair salon to the biggest stars
Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he came from a family with deep roots in the hairdressing business. His father owned a salon, while his grandfather worked as a barber.
Frieda spent time helping out at his father’s salon before deciding to pursue hairdressing himself.
His father wanted him to become a doctor, but Frieda was determined to become a hairdresser, ”to get out of studying”, he said.
He eventually joined the prestigious House of Leonard salon in London, where he became an assistant to renowned hairstylist Leonard Lewis.
It was there that he adopted the name John, as another stylist at the salon was already called Alan. His talent quickly became apparent, and he soon found himself working with fashion magazines including British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Before long, his client list included some of the most recognizable names in the world.
Princess Diana, Madonna, Twiggy, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson were among the stars who trusted him with their hair.
He also worked with music legends Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.
Following Frieda’s death, Paul McCartney mourned his friend on social media.
”Having known John since the 1960s, he always impressed me with his charm and wonderful sense of humor,” McCartney wrote.
He remembered Frieda as an elegant man who always made him laugh, whether they met privately or at a concert.
”I can’t believe I am saying ‘the end’, but it is unfortunately true,” he continued.
The famous haircut that became a sensation
One particular haircut would help turn Frieda into a household name.
In 1976, he created the now-famous ”Purdey” haircut for actress Joanna Lumley, who played the character of the same name in the television series The New Avengers.
The distinctive short, layered style became an instant sensation, with women across the world asking their hairdressers to recreate the look.
That same year, at just 25 years old, Frieda opened his first salon in London.
His reputation continued to grow, and he eventually expanded his business internationally, opening salons in cities including New York and Los Angeles.
But his biggest success was still ahead of him.
How Frizz-Ease made him a multimillionaire
While Frieda had already made a name for himself styling celebrities, he would eventually become even better known for the products carrying his name.
In the late 1980s, he teamed up with American haircare executive Gail Federici to develop a range of professional-quality products for everyday consumers.
One of their biggest breakthroughs came with Frizz-Ease, launched in 1988.
The product was designed to tackle frizzy hair and quickly became a major commercial success, particularly in the United States. The company later expanded its range with products such as Sheer Blonde, launched in 1998.
What had started as a hairdresser’s ambition had grown into an international beauty business.
In 2002, Frieda and Federici sold their haircare company to Japanese cosmetics giant Kao Corporation in a deal worth approximately $450 million.
He continued to run his salons, maintaining a presence in London, New York and Los Angeles.
His marriage to singer Lulu and family life
Away from the salon, Frieda’s personal life also attracted attention.
In 1977, he married Scottish singer Lulu, best known for her hit song ”To Sir with Love.”
The couple had one son, Jordan, before their marriage ended in divorce in 1991.
Frieda later found love with Frances Avery Agnelli, whom he married in 2019. Together, they had two children, Jackson and Leyla.
He also had a close relationship with his stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange.
Following news of his death, Asia paid tribute to him on social media, writing:
“Today we lost the best man to ever exist.”
Frieda is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
His legacy, however, stretches far beyond his family and the salons he built.
Rest in peace, John.
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