John Frieda: Celebrity hairstylist dies aged 75

John Frieda, a renowned British hairstylist and entrepreneur in the beauty industry, has passed away at the age of 75. Over the course of his career, Frieda became highly regarded by celebrities from the 1960s and 1970s, counting among his clients figures such as the British model Twiggy, U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy, and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. He gained additional recognition for creating the distinctive Purdey bowl cut for actress Joanna Lumley in 1976, featured in the TV series *The New Avengers*. His brand of hair care products also made a significant impact globally.

The announcement of Frieda’s death was made by his hair salon on Instagram, where they expressed deep sorrow: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully ….surrounded by his family.” The statement further praised him as more than a mentor, calling him “a true icon of the hair industry” who inspired and believed in his team. Many other famous personalities worked with Frieda during his life, including Diana, Princess of Wales, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, and Scarlett Johansson.

Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he inherited his passion for hairdressing from his father, who owned a salon in West London, and his grandfather, a barber in Fleet Street. Early in his career, Frieda became an assistant at the prestigious House of Leonard salon, known for pioneering Twiggy’s celebrated haircut. He also worked with influential fashion magazines such as British *Vogue* and *Harper’s Bazaar*. In 1976, he established his own salon in central London that quickly rose to fame and drew clients from all over, leading to international branches in locations like Barbados, Ibiza, and Los Angeles.

Transitioning from hairstyling to business development in the 1990s, Frieda focused on expanding his hair product line, producing popular items like the Frizz-Ease serum launched in 1988. His brand flourished worldwide before he sold it in 2002 to the Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450 million (£334 million). On a personal note, Frieda was married to Scottish singer Lulu from 1977 to 1990, with whom he had a son, Jordan Frieda, now an actor and food entrepreneur. Later, he married Avery Agnelli, widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Agnelli, and together they had two children and a stepdaughter. Tributes have poured in following his death, with those who worked with him remembering him as a visionary and a creative force whose legacy will endure