John Frieda, the influential hairstylist known for his Frizz-Ease product line and celebrity clients including Madonna and Princess Diana, has died at the age of 75. The Middlesex-born stylist passed away surrounded by his family, his salon announced.
Salon and Family Tributes
The salon shared the news on Instagram, writing: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully ….surrounded by his family. 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 talent and passion touched so many, and his legacy will live on in every single one of us. We will continue to do him proud. Our thoughts are with John’s family and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, John. You will be forever in our hearts."
His stepdaughter Asia added in a post: "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."
Career and Personal Life
Born in 1951, John Frieda went on to create one of the world's most famous haircare brands. His father worked as a hairdresser, and his grandfather was a barber on Fleet Street. He had not planned to become a hairdresser, but his father encouraged him to start working in the industry. Born Alan, he changed his name because someone called Alan already worked there.
"In the salon, you go by your first name. There was another Alan. You can’t have two hairdressers going by the same name," he recalled, and thus became known as John Frieda.
He worked for publications including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and styled celebrity clients such as Twiggy and Mick Jagger. At 25, he opened his own salon after needing a "new challenge". He later married singer Lulu, with Ringo Starr, Elton John and Tom Jones attending the wedding. He created his own product line in the 1980s, and Frizz-Ease remains a fan favourite today.
Speaking about his split from Lulu, with whom he shares son Jordan, he said: "She is an incredible person. And if I’d not been uptight, paranoid, not wanting to be ‘Mr. Lulu’… But I was a young guy. Whatever happened, whatever the reasons, you never stop loving that person. You may be angry, you may be worried about things, you may feel something happened that you didn’t like. But you have not left that person. I never stopped loving her. She’s the mother of my son."
He later married Frances Avery Agnelli, with whom he had daughter Luna and son Jackson. He also had a stepdaughter, who was four years old when he met his second wife Frances.
Legacy and Tributes
During his career, he worked on the hair of Hollywood stars including Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Kidman, as well as Madonna and Princess Diana. He is survived by his wife, his four children and two grandchildren.
Tributes on social media included: "I’m in complete shock at the passing of John Frieda. He was a true pioneer, a remarkable man and always so kind and generous with his time." Another read: "RIP this is so sad what a legend." One comment said: "Oh I’m so shocked and feel heartbroken to find out this news. John was such a big inspiration to me and I worked for him for 18 years and 5 months. I owe so much to him."
