John Frieda, the British Stylist Who Turned Frizz Ease Into a Global Brand, Dies at 75

Key points

• John Frieda died on Tuesday at age 75, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his London salon.
• He was born Alan Howard Frieda in 1951 in Kenton, Middlesex, and adopted the name John to avoid confusion with another stylist at his first job.
• Frieda created the famous 'Purdey' bowl cut for Joanna Lumley in 1976 and opened his first salon that same year.
• He launched the Frizz Ease hair care line in 1988 with American executive Gail Federici, followed by the Sheer Blonde line in 1998.
• In 2002, Frieda sold his hair care company to Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450 million, retaining ownership of five salons in London, New York, and Los Angeles.
• His clients included Princess Diana, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

Background

Frieda’s career began in the 1960s and 1970s in London’s high-fashion salon scene, where he worked alongside other prominent stylists and styled models for Vogue. His transition from a salon-based stylist to a global beauty entrepreneur was marked by the launch of Frizz Ease in the late 1980s and his move to the United States in 1990 to focus on the brand. The sale of his company to Kao in 2002 for $450 million was a significant milestone, allowing him to retain control of his salons while exiting the product manufacturing business. His personal life included two marriages, with his first to Lulu ending partly due to his relocation to the U.S., and his second to Avery Agnelli, the widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Agnelli, in 2019.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times emphasized Frieda’s role as a fixture of London’s high-fashion scene and his expansion into global salons, highlighting his work with A-list celebrities. NBC News focused on his entrepreneurial success with Frizz Ease and his personal life, including his marriages and family. The Guardian detailed his early career, the creation of the 'Purdey' cut, and the sale of his company to Kao, while also noting tributes from industry figures like Jo Wood. USA Today provided a comprehensive overview of his career, personal life, and the financial details of the Kao deal, including the names of his surviving children and grandchildren. All sources agreed on the basic facts of his death and career but differed in emphasis, with some focusing more on his celebrity clients and others on his business achievements.

Why it matters

John Frieda’s legacy extends beyond his celebrity clients to the global hair care industry, where his Frizz Ease brand became a household name. His ability to transition from a salon stylist to a business mogul, culminating in a $450 million sale to Kao, set a precedent for other stylists in the industry. His work with icons like Princess Diana and Madonna helped define fashion trends for decades, and his salons in London, New York, and Los Angeles remain landmarks in the beauty industry. His death marks the end of an era in celebrity hairstyling and beauty entrepreneurship.

What to watch

The hair care industry and Frieda’s former salons are expected to continue operating, with his legacy influencing future generations of stylists. Tributes from industry figures and family members will likely continue on social media. The cause of death remains undisclosed, and no further details have been provided by his family or the salon. His estate and the future of his salons are not specified in the available sources.