Hairstylist John Frieda, who built a haircare empire, dies at 75
The London salon founder styled stars for decades and later built a bestselling hair care business. His family has not publicly shared the cause of death.
Key points
- Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda has died aged 75, according to an Instagram post from his salon on Tuesday.
- Frieda styled stars including Twiggy, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Madonna from the 1960s onwards.
- He opened his own London salon in 1976 and later expanded to several cities across the world.
- A 2002 deal sent his hair products firm to Kao for $450m, according to reports.
- Tributes came from the British Beauty Council, Jo Wood and the salon's creative director.
According to the BBC, John Frieda, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of a major beauty brand, has died at the age of 75. The salon announced his death on Instagram on Tuesday. The Guardian also reported the news and noted that no cause of death had been shared.
The salon’s statement described him as more than a mentor to its staff. It called him a respected figure in hairdressing and said he had taught the team everything and helped them grow. The post asked people to remember him and said his legacy would continue through those he had trained.
A career built on famous clients
Frieda was born in London in 1951, according to the BBC, although the Guardian gives his birthplace as Kenton in Middlesex. His father ran a salon in Ealing, west London, and his grandfather had worked as a barber. He began his training at House of Leonard, the salon known for creating Twiggy’s crop, and later became an assistant there.
A salon of his own opened in central London in 1976. It quickly became popular, with bookings made months ahead. He later opened branches in Barbados, Ibiza and Los Angeles. Among his clients were Twiggy, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is also credited with the bowl cut he gave Joanna Lumley in 1976 for her role in The New Avengers.
In the 1990s he stepped back from cutting hair to focus on products. His Frizz-Ease serum, created in 1988, became a bestseller and his brand grew across the United States and beyond.
Business sale and family
Frieda and Federici, his partner in the venture, agreed a $450m (about £334m) sale to Japanese group Kao in 2002, the BBC said. The Guardian reported the same deal value. Frieda kept five salons after the sale: a pair in London, another pair in New York, and one site in Los Angeles.
His first marriage was to the Scottish singer Lulu. The couple wed in 1977 and split in 1990. They had a son, Jordan Frieda, who later became a food entrepreneur. Frieda later married Avery Agnelli, widow of a Fiat heir, and the couple had two children together. Frieda’s stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, posted a tribute on Instagram along with a set of images showing the two of them over the years.
Tributes from the industry
The British Beauty Council sent its love and condolences. TV presenter Trinny Woodall also posted a message. Model and TV personality Jo Wood, once a teenage client, said his death was very sad and recalled him styling her hair when she was 16.
Cetera Lamb, creative director of the London salon, said the industry had lost a legend. She said he had led the salon for 50 years.
In June, Frieda had shared advice with the British Beauty Council for future hairdressers, telling them to focus on the craft rather than money.
Frequently asked questions
How old was John Frieda when he died?
John Frieda died aged 75, according to the BBC and the Guardian. His salon announced the death on Instagram on Tuesday.
What is John Frieda best known for?
He was known for styling celebrities from the 1960s and 1970s and for the Purdey bowl cut he created for Joanna Lumley in 1976. He also built a hair products brand, including Frizz-Ease.
Has the cause of death been released?
The Guardian said no cause of death had been shared publicly. No further details were given in the sources.
Sources
- BBC News: Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75
- The Guardian: ‘A true icon of the hair industry’: celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
