John Frieda, Celebrity Hairstylist and Entrepreneur, Passes Away at 75
The celebrity hairstylist's passing was announced by his salon on Tuesday, November 3, with no further details disclosed.
NEED TO KNOW
- John Frieda has passed away, his salon confirmed on November 3.
- Frieda was renowned for his work with celebrity clients, including Princess Diana, Madonna, and Twiggy. He is especially known for creating Joanna Lumley's iconic "Purdey" cut.
- He co-founded his eponymous haircare business in 1988 with the launch of the Frizz-Ease product line.
John Frieda, a legendary celebrity hairstylist and beauty entrepreneur, has passed away at the age of 75. His death was shared on the official Instagram account of his salon on November 3.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully... surrounded by his family," the announcement read. "John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry. He was the person who taught us everything, believed in us, and made us better."
His stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, confirmed the news on the same day: "Sadly, my J has passed away. Today we lost the best man to ever exist. I share this because I know he touched the lives of so many."
Background
Born Alan Howard Frieda on July 9, 1951, in Kenton, Middlesex, England, Frieda grew up in a hairdressing family. His father was a hairdresser with a salon in Ealing, and his grandfather was a Fleet Street barber. He began his career working for his father and later for Lewis Leonard, where he changed his name to John as another Alan already worked at the salon.
His career took off when he worked for British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and secured celebrity clients like Twiggy, Jackie Onassis, and Mick Jagger. In 1976, he invented the iconic "Purdey" hairstyle for Joanna Lumley.
In the same year, at just 25 years old and with nine years of experience, Frieda opened his own salon, seeking new challenges. He later partnered with Gail Federici to develop his own haircare product line, launching Frizz-Ease in 1988 and Sheer Blonde in 1998.
By 1990, Frieda focused on his brand and frizz-fighting products, expanding internationally. This led to a separation from his first wife, singer Lulu, with whom he had a son, Jordan. The couple later reconciled as friends.