John Frieda, the British celebrity hairstylist and beauty-industry figure, has died at 75, his salon announced. In an Instagram post, the John Frieda salon said he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 3.
The salon described Frieda as more than a mentor and a leading figure in the hair industry, saying he taught the team everything, believed in its members and made them better.
Born in 1951 to a family of hairdressers, Frieda trained at London's House of Leonard salon. He established himself in the 1970s as a hairstylist to stars and high-fashion magazines before opening his own salons, which grew into an international haircare empire. His clients included Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Twiggy, Mick Jagger, Nicole Kidman and Madonna.
His career moved between salon work, editorial styling and consumer products. His product brand, John Frieda Professional Hair Care, behind the cult Frizz-Ease line, was sold to the Japanese cosmetics group Kao in 2002. Frieda married twice and had four children.
Cetera Lamb, creative director at his salon, said the industry had lost a celebrated figure and a genuine original in hairdressing. The tribute highlighted both his influence on the salon team and his standing in the wider industry.