A Tribute to a Legend, and Farewell to a Generous Friend

Vidal Sassoon, at the NYC premiere of "Vidal Sassoon The Movie:
How One Man Changed the World With a Pair of Scissors  

Millions and millions of people come and go in our world, but only a few leave a permanent footprint, their name etched into our collective history.

Cutting Mary Quant's hair, 1964

Those few share one unique achievement: They are able to take the impossible and make it possible, thereby changing the world for the better. Some were leaders, some musicians, some great artists; some scientists, poets, heroes, or athletes. 

On the set of "Rosemary's Baby" 1968

Mozart touched us with his musical compositions; DaVinci did it with pigments and brushstrokes, with his theories, and great inventions. Poets used words, heroes gave lives -- and Vidal Sassoon used scissors to change the hairdressing world, along with the entire beauty industry, and irrevocably changed the way women live their lives.

Five-Point Cut, 1964

He liberated women from weekly trips to the salon for a “wash and set,” offering them the freedom to care for their own hair. Vidal encouraged an entire generation to forego the rollers, forget the fussy bouffant, and forge their own relationship with the blowdryer and modern, short hair. 

The Kwan Bob, 1968

Vidal’s unique geometric shapes (The Five Point Cut, The Kwan Bob, The Greek Goddess, The Butterfly) and clean approach to cutting transformed the entire industry’s approach to hair care. 

The Greek Goddess

While stylists initially worried that the Vidal Sassoon approach would have a huge negative impact on their income and destroy the industry, he ultimately inspired cutters to work with and maximize a woman’s natural hair texture and movement.

Grace Coddington

Danae Brook

It took one man to revolutionize hair styling as we know it today. As a colleague and fellow member of Intercoiffure, I’ve had the pleasure of being with Vidal Sassoon several times.

I’ve watched him perform, and I feel privileged to have had that opportunity. I’m very thankful for having been able to learn his skills and techniques, and I’ve become a better stylist and skilled hair cutter because of it.

Vidal and Carol Channing

I especially like Vidal’s slogan, “If you don’t look good, we don’t look good.” Like many who met him, along with all who knew and loved him, I will always remember Vidal Sassoon as the icon who changed haircutting from what it was into architecture and art.

Vidal and Joan Collins

He wrote in his memoir, “The hair must suit the bone structure, and also the clients’ figure. I dream of hair as an art form, giving the lead to other art forms.”

Vidal in 2010 at a book signing in London

I wish you farewell, my friend. Although your physical body is gone, your footprint will remain here forever. 

Vidal and Mary Quant on the movie set, 2011

You made me realize the finished look is the reflection of my work; you helped me be a better artist.