Home · Entertainment · Nov 4 archive
Celebrity Hairstylist John Frieda Dies at 75
Confirmed
In Short: British celebrity hairstylist and beauty brand entrepreneur John Frieda has died at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy in the hair industry.
His death was announced by his hair salon in an Instagram post on Tuesday, with the statement saying, 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.'
Frieda, who began his career in hairdressing with the opening of his salon on New Cavendish Street in London in 1976, became a firm favourite with celebrities throughout the 1960s and 1970s, cutting hair for clients including British model Twiggy, US First Lady Jackie Kennedy, and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
In the 1990s, Frieda stepped back from cutting hair and concentrated on developing his own brand of hair products, including the famous Frizz-Ease hair serum, which he created in 1988.
Frieda's stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, paid tribute to him on social media, writing, 'Today we lost the best man to ever exist.'
The British Beauty Council commented, 'Sending love and condolences,' while model and TV personality Jo Wood said, 'Oh No... That’s so sad. When I was 16 and John worked as an assistant at Lenards he would do my hair. He was so great... We would go to the pub after... But I couldn’t drink. RIP John it was lovely to know you.'
Frieda's salon said in a statement, 'We will continue in his honour, celebrating his achievements and keeping his memory, values, vision and love for great hairdressing alive. His legacy will live on through us, and we will make sure of that.'
Born Alan Howard Frieda in 1951 in Kenton, Middlesex, England, Frieda came from a family of hair professionals. He began his career at London's House of Leonard salon, where he adopted the name John due to another stylist already being named Alan.
Frieda's brand, John Frieda Professional Hair Care, was sold to Kao Corp. In 2002 for $450 million, and he continued to oversee the salons, which attracted mega-talents such as Serge Normant, Sally Hershberger, and Christophe Robin.
Frieda's cause of death was not immediately clear.
What this adds
Frieda's stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, and his salon provided emotional tributes on social media.
Frieda's career spanned decades, from his early days as a stylist to his later ventures in hair product development and salon management.
What's confirmed
- His death was announced by his hair salon in an Instagram post on Tuesday., external "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully ….surrounded by his family", the statement said "Rest in peace, John. You will be forever in our hearts."
- British celebrity hairstylist and beauty brand entrepreneur John Frieda has died aged 75.
- His death was announced by his hair salon in an Instagram post on Tuesday. 'John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry.
- After working for his father, Frieda joined the London hair salon House of Leonard and became the assistant of Leonard Lewis - who was credited with creating the haircut that launched the career of model Twiggy.
What's still developing
- In 2019, Frieda married Avery Agnelli, with whom he had two children and a step-daughter The stylist photographed with model Lily Cole at Claridges Hotel in 2013 Frieda was married to the singer Lulu from 1977 to 1990 and had one son from that relationship - the actor turned food entrepreneur Jordan Frieda.
- In 1976, Frieda opened his own salon in central London which became massively successful and booked up months in advance as his reputation as an influential stylist grew.
- Speaking to the British Beauty Council, external in June, Frieda gave his advice for future generation of British hairdressers.
- “We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Frieda, the visionary hairdresser whose name our brand proudly carries,” the John Frieda brand confirmed in its Instagram post.
- The entertainment industry has been left heartbroken after the tragic passing of millionaire celebrity hair stylist John Frieda was announced via his own Instagram.
- You will be forever in our hearts.’ A post shared by John Frieda Salon (@johnfriedasalon) Frieda rose to prominence following the launch of his first hair salon, going on to create his own Frizz Ease shampoor range and styling celebrities like Princess Diana and Joanna Lumley.
- During my 16-year career, I’ve written features where other hair stylists paid homage to Frieda as an inspirational figure, but it was perhaps this introduction to his stardom that I remember most.
- John Frieda, whose first wife was the singer Lulu, launched his first hair salon in his mid-20s, before creating the famous Frizz Ease range.
- Frieda told The Standard newspaper in 2012 that his dad had wanted him to become a doctor, but Frieda pursued a career in hair to get out of studying.
- Frieda worked with Diana in 1980, styling her blonde pixie cut for a portrait session with photographer Lord Snowdon, which was published in Vogue when she got engaged to then-Prince Charles.
- We will continue to do him proud.” The statement concluded: “Our thoughts are with John’s family and everyone who loved him.
- In 1976, Frieda opened his own salon in London, establishing the foundation for what would eventually become an international beauty empire.