It
is with great sadness that Salon Galaxy.com mourns the loss of industry
legend Vidal Sassoon. A youthful 84, Vidal past away from an unspecified
illness at his Beverly Hills, Mulholland home surrounded by family.
Known as a trail blazer and innovator, Sassoon spent his career
perfecting cutting and styling techniques that continue to shape the
industry today. In his Autobiography "The Worlds Most Famous Hairdresser" reflects on how the industry has changed in his decades of experience-and where it is (and should be) headed.
There’s no doubt that Vidal Sassoon revolutionized hairdressing in the way that his frequent collaborator, Mary Quant, revolutionized hemlines. It’s certain that the Swinging Sixties would have been decidedly less swinging had the celebrities of the day not been sporting his iconic geometric cuts. Sassoon’s approach to hair ushered in a modern era where women, once slaves of the salon, would be freed of the stand up dryer and able to “wash, blow and go” while breaking the rules of hair symmetry altogether.
Vidal Sassoon's extraordinary life has
taken him from an impoverished childhood to global fame as the father
of modern hairdressing, whose slick sharp style cuts took the fashion
world by storm. His memoir begins with surprising and often moving
stories of his early life—He then discusses his extraordinary career,
during which he cut the hair of everyone who was anyone—including Mary
Quant, Grace Coddington, Twiggy, Rita Hayworth, and Mia Farrow; launched
salons all over the world; founded the hairdressing school that still
bears his name; and became a global brand.
When asked what he thinks of today’s popular hairstyles. He says that although there are a lot of beautiful hair cuts today most do nothing for the face and would love to see some beautiful face framing cutting come back. He most regrets having sold his salon only hair products to Richardson-Vicks and a year later it was sold to Proctor and Gamble which took the hair products out of the salons and into the mass market.
If you skim over all the celebrity stuff Vidal’s autobiography is an inspiring rags to riches story. For me it was interesting to see how the hair industry that we take so for grant these days evolved from the 1900's. Filled with pictures his book is a compelling memoir of a genuine fashion icon that reinvented the art of hairdressing in the 20 century. Perhaps Vidal’s most important legacy is the signature techniques taught around the world today at Vidal Sassoon Academies and his memorable TV commercial slogan __ (when you look good, we look good). This Galaxy Star will continue to shine after others fade away.
Vidal Sassoon Autobiography..... inspiring fascinating life story is available on Amazon
