John Frieda, Stylist Who Built Frizz Ease Empire, Dies at 75

John Frieda, the celebrity hairstylist who turned a $450 million hair care business out of a London salon career, has died at 75 following a long illness. John Frieda Salon confirmed his death late Tuesday in an Instagram post.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family," the salon said. "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."

How did Frieda build his empire?

Frieda co-founded John Frieda Professional Hair Care with Gail Federici in 1989. Kao Corp. bought the company in 2002 for $450 million. Frieda kept overseeing the salons after the sale, and they attracted stylists such as Serge Normant, Sally Hershberger and Christophe Robin. His editorial team over the years included Orlando Pita and Kerry Warn.

The salons themselves carried technical innovations. Video cameras mounted to mirrors displayed the client's image on a TV screen, giving stylists a better perspective and a more detailed view of the hair.

What made Frizz Ease and Sheer Blonde succeed?

The company's first hit was Frizz Ease, which launched at Boots in the U.K. and then entered the U.S. mass market in 1990, becoming a top-selling product worldwide. In 1998 the line expanded with Sheer Blonde, aimed at colored hair, which became a best seller.

To compensate for a small advertising budget in the early years, Frieda pushed the products himself — starring in TV ads on both sides of the Atlantic and appearing on talk shows long before product demonstrations became a common marketing tool.

"My friends and others were telling me that it wouldn't be good for my image," Frieda said. He did it anyway. Federici called him the company's "secret weapon."

Where did Frieda start?

Frieda was born in London in 1951, a third-generation hairstylist. His father owned a salon in Ealing, west London; his grandfather was a Fleet Street barber. After working for his father, Frieda joined House of Leonard in London and became the assistant of Leonard Lewis, creator of Twiggy's famous cut. There he worked for British magazines and with Lewis' clients, including Jackie Onassis and Mick Jagger.

His first big success came in 1976, when he created the boyish "Purdey" bowl cut for Joanna Lumley's role in "The New Avengers." That same year, aged 25, he opened his own salon and married his first wife, Scottish singer Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, known as Lulu. He later ran high-end salons in London, New York City and Los Angeles.

Who survives him?

Frieda is survived by his wife, Avery Agnelli, four children and two grandchildren. His younger brother, Nigel Frieda — the British music producer and founder of the Sugababes — also survives him.

"His talent and passion touched so many, and his legacy will live on in every single one of us," the salon's post said. "We will continue to do him proud."