“A true icon of the hair industry”: famous hairstylist John Frieda has died at the age of 75 | Fashion

John Frieda, the famous hairstylist who launched his own line of successful hair products, has died at the age of 75.

In an Instagram post, his salon wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our beloved John has passed away peacefully…surrounded by his family.

“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.

“His talent and passion touched so many people and his legacy will live on in all of us. We will continue to make him proud. Our hearts go out to John’s family and all those who loved him. Rest in peace, John. You will forever be in our hearts.”

The London-born businessman, whose father was a hairdresser and whose grandfather was a barber, has styled celebrities ranging from Twiggy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Scarlett Johansson, Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Diana, Princess of Wales.

He created the famous “Purdey” hairstyle – a remarkable bowl cut – for Joanna Lumley in 1976 for her role in the television series The New Avengers., and opened his first salon the same year, at the age of 25.

He went on to launch the popular Frizz Ease hair care line and open salons around the world. He has also worked for British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

Frieda married his first wife, the Scottish singer known as Lulu, in 1977. They had one child, Jordan Frieda.

Frieda moved to the United States in 1990 to focus on her growing hair care brand, and her move contributed to the end of the marriage.

He met his second wife, Avery Agnelli, the widow of a Fiat carmaker heir, in 2002 and they married in 2019. They had two children together, Jackson and Leyla, and Frieda was the stepfather of her daughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange.

Agnelli Lagrange shared a series of photos of them together on Instagram, writing: “Sadly my J passed away. Today we lost the best man who ever lived. I’m sharing this because I know he touched the lives of so many.”

The cause of death has not been made public.

Born Alan Howard Frieda in Kenton, Middlesex, he began his career at the House of Leonard salon in London and adopted the name John because another stylist at the salon was also called Alan.

In the 1980s, he worked with American hair care executive Gail Federici to create his own product line, and he launched Frizz Ease in 1988 and his Sheer Blonde line in 1998.

Among those paying tribute on social media was Jo Wood, model, television personality and wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. She said: “Oh no… it’s so sad. When I was 16 and John was working as an assistant at Leonards, he did my hair. He was so great… we used to go to the pub afterwards… but I couldn’t drink. RIP John, it was nice knowing you.”

Cetera Lamb, creative director of Frieda’s Salon in London, said: “The industry has lost a true legend, a true maverick in hairdressing. For 50 years he led our wonderful salon, leaving behind an incredible legacy of passion, creativity, vision and exceptional hairdressing.”

In 2002, Frieda sold her hair care business to Japanese conglomerate Kao in a deal valued at $450 million. He remains the owner of five salons: two in London, two in New York and one in Los Angeles.