The famous British hairdresser has died at 75. In a fifty-year career he designed the looks of celebrities such as Lady Diana, Madonna and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, building an international brand thanks also to the Frizz-Ease line
John Frieda, one of the most influential hairdressers on the international beauty scene, has died at 75. The team of his historic London salon confirmed the news on November 4, 2026 through a message on social media, in which they recalled the hairstylist's talent and pioneering approach. In around half a century of activity, Frieda has helped define the image of numerous celebrities, from Madonna to Lady Diana, through Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Twiggy, Diana Ross and Farrah Fawcett.
Its name is linked to two intuitions that have left a mark in the sector: the Purdey cut, the short cut that became famous thanks to the actress Joanna Lumley, and Frizz-Ease, the line of products designed to combat frizz. Two different results, united by the ability to identify needs and trends before they became mass phenomena.
The Purdey cut and success in the fashion world
Frieda had opened her first salon in June 1976, in New Cavendish Street, London. The business stood out for its attention to the quality of service and a less formal atmosphere than that of many traditional salons. In the same year came one of the turning points in his career: the Purdey cut, a geometric and short cut inspired by the character played by Joanna Lumley in the television series The New Avengers.
The hairstyle helped consolidate his reputation and make him a point of reference for the world of entertainment and fashion. Over the years Frieda worked with international personalities and collaborated with important publications in the sector, including British Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Among his best-known works is Lady Diana's hairstyle for the engagement portrait published by Vogue.
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Frizz-Ease, the intuition that transformed the brand
Frieda's career in salons was accompanied by a highly successful entrepreneurial activity. In 1988 he launched Frizz-Ease, a professional line developed to tame frizzy hair and make unruly hair more manageable. The project intercepted a widespread need and contributed to the growth of its brand, which over the years has expanded with products dedicated to different needs, including the Thickening Lotion and the Go Blonder lightening shampoo.
His professional philosophy was based not only on technique, but also on the ability to recognize the characteristics of each person. In an interview with the British Beauty Council, published in June 2026 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of her activity, Frieda had indicated visual perception as an essential quality for a hairdresser: understanding which style can enhance the wearer
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Family and professional legacy
Born in 1951 in Middlesex with the name Alan Howard Frieda, he came from a family linked to the hairdressing profession: his father owned a salon and his grandfather was a barber. He had started working in London at House of Leonard, becoming assistant to hairdresser Lewis Leonard. He later adopted the name John, also used by his father, to distinguish himself from another professional called Alan.
His private life was intertwined with that of the entertainment world. From 1977 to 1991 he was married to the British singer and actress Lulu, with whom he had his son Jordan. He later married Frances Avery Agnelli, widow of Giovannino Agnelli, with whom he had Jackson and Leyla; he also welcomed Avery's daughter Asia into the family.
When recalling the future of her salon, Frieda expressed her desire for the group to continue working according to the standards and principles built over time, especially for the benefit of young professionals. A legacy that goes beyond the cuts that have become iconic and the products that have entered the habits of millions of consumers: the ability to transform hair care into a sector where technique, identity and visual culture meet.
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