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John Frieda, the renowned celebrity hairstylist and creator of the popular Frizz Ease hair care line, has died at the age of 75. His passing was confirmed in an Instagram post on Tuesday (November 3), stating he died peacefully surrounded by family.
Born Alan Howard Frieda in 1951 in Kenton, Middlesex, England, Frieda came from a family of hair professionals. His father owned a salon, and his grandfather was a barber. Frieda began his career at London's House of Leonard salon, where he adopted the name John due to another stylist already being named Alan, according to USA Today.
Frieda's career took off as he styled celebrities such as Princess Diana, Madonna, and Scarlett Johansson. He gained fame for creating the "Purdey" bowl cut for Joanna Lumley in 1976. That same year, he opened his own salon in London, which became a massive success, as reported by BBC.
In the 1990s, Frieda shifted focus to developing his hair care brand, launching Frizz Ease in 1988. His business expanded globally, and in 2002, he sold his company to Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450 million. Despite selling the brand, he retained ownership of five salons worldwide.
Frieda was married to Scottish singer Lulu from 1977 to 1990, with whom he had a son, Jordan Frieda. He later married Avery Agnelli, with whom he had two children and a stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange. Lagrange shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing the profound impact Frieda had on many lives.
Throughout his career, Frieda was celebrated for his creativity and influence in the hair industry. Cetera Lamb, creative director at Frieda's London salon, described him as "a true legend" and a "real maverick in hairdressing." His legacy continues through the salons and the many stylists he mentored.