John Frieda, the Pioneer Behind Frizz Ease and the Purdey Cut, Dies at 75

Key points

• John Frieda, the British celebrity hairstylist and beauty mogul, died at age 75, as confirmed by his salon's Instagram statement on Tuesday.
• Frieda, born Alan Howard Frieda in 1951, styled Princess Diana's iconic pixie cut for her 1981 engagement portrait and worked with clients like Madonna, Nicole Kidman, and Scarlett Johansson.
• He created the famous 'Purdey' hairstyle for Joanna Lumley in 1976 and launched the Frizz Ease brand, which became a global staple in drugstores and salons.
• 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 stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, paid tribute on Instagram, calling him 'the best man to ever exist,' while the cause of death remains undisclosed.

Background

Frieda's career began in the 1960s as an assistant at London's House of Leonard salon, where he worked with stars like Twiggy and Mick Jagger. He opened his own salon in 1976 and expanded globally by the 1990s. His marriage to Scottish singer Lulu ended in 1991, and he later married Avery Agnelli in 2019. The archive notes his earlier coverage of Prince Harry's grief and Kate Middleton's use of Diana's tiara, but these are unrelated to Frieda's passing.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and The Guardian emphasize Frieda's role as a mentor and icon, quoting his salon's tribute. BBC highlights his early work with Twiggy and Jackie Kennedy, while The Cut focuses on his global expansion and Frizz Ease's launch. All sources agree on his death at 75 and the salon's statement, but BBC and The Cut provide more detail on his early career and product line, respectively. No outlet reports on the cause of death, and all attribute the announcement to the salon's Instagram post.

Why it matters

Frieda's death marks the end of an era in celebrity hairstyling, as he shaped the looks of icons like Princess Diana and Madonna. His Frizz Ease brand, sold for $450 million, remains a household name, and his influence on the hair industry is recognized by peers like Jo Wood and Cetera Lamb. His legacy continues through his salons and the stylists he mentored.

What to watch

Frieda's five salons, including two in London, two in New York, and one in Los Angeles, will continue operating under his legacy. His family, including his wife Avery Agnelli and children, will likely share further tributes. The hair industry may hold memorial events or tributes, as seen in past obituaries for similar figures.