Celebrity hairstylist and beauty brand entrepreneur John Frieda has died at age 75. Known globally for his eponymous haircare line and the creation of iconic celebrity looks like the “Purdey” haircut, Frieda passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
Celebrity Hairdresser John Frieda Dies at Age 75
- John Frieda died at age 75 following an illness, with his death announced on Tuesday by his salon’s official Instagram account.
- He built a massive global beauty empire, highlighted by the creation of the Frizz-Ease range and a $450 million sale of his company to Japanese corporation Kao in 2002.
- Industry figures, family members, and high-profile collaborators including Nicola Clarke have shared widespread tributes.
A Family Legacy Rooted in London Barbering
Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he was immersed in the craft from an early age. His father owned a salon in Ealing, west London, and his grandfather had worked as a Fleet Street barber. After entering the family trade, Frieda eventually joined Leonard Lewis’s star-studded salon, the House of Leonard, serving as an assistant to the team famous for crafting Twiggy’s legendary crop.
By 1976, Frieda had opened his own central London salon. The establishment quickly gained traction as his reputation through work with fashion magazines like British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar cemented his status as a leading talent. He created the famous Purdey haircut worn by actress Joanna Lumley in the television series The New Avengers, a style that instantly entered pop culture history.
Building a Global Haircare Empire
Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and beyond, Frieda’s client roster expanded to include high-profile figures such as US First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and Diana, Princess of Wales. By the 1990s, Frieda stepped away from daily salon work to focus on product development.
Partnering with American entrepreneur Gail Federici, he launched the John Frieda haircare range, introducing the anti-frizz serum Frizz-Ease in 1988. The brand scaled rapidly across the United States and international markets. In 2002, Frieda and Federici sold the business to the Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450 million, establishing a permanent footprint on retail shelves worldwide.
Tributes From the Beauty and Entertainment World
Frieda’s death was confirmed on Tuesday night via an Instagram statement from his London salon. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully ….surrounded by his family,” the post read, noting that he had been more than a mentor.
Frieda died following a brave battle with an illness, though no official medical details regarding the cause of death have been made public. Celebrity colourist Nicola Clarke paid tribute on social media, describing him as one of the kindest and most influential mentors in her life. Cetera Lamb, creative director at the London salon, remembered him as a true maverick who led the business for 50 years.
| Milestone / Event | Year | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1951 | Born Alan Howard Frieda in London. |
| The “Purdey” Cut | 1976 | Created the iconic bowl cut for Joanna Lumley. |
| Frizz-Ease Launch | 1988 | Developed the landmark anti-frizz hair serum. |
| Company Acquisition | 2002 | Sold the John Frieda brand to Kao for $450m. |
| Passing | — | Died at age 75 surrounded by his family. |
Family and Personal Life
Away from the salon chair, Frieda’s personal life intersected with the entertainment industry. He was married to Scottish singer and actress Lulu from 1977 to 1990, with whom he shared a son, actor and food entrepreneur Jordan Frieda. He later married Avery Agnelli, widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Agnelli, in 2019. Together they had two children, alongside his stepdaughter Asia Agnelli Lagrange.
Following the announcement, Asia Agnelli Lagrange shared family photographs on Instagram, writing that they had lost the best man to ever exist.
