British celebrity hairstylist and beauty brand entrepreneur John Frieda has died at the age of 75. His hair salon announced his death in an Instagram post on Tuesday, confirming that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
Frieda rose to fame as a sought-after stylist for high-profile figures throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His prestigious client list included British model Twiggy, US First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, Diana, Princess of Wales, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, and Scarlett Johansson. He was also celebrated for inventing the famous Purdey bowl cut for actor Joanna Lumley in 1976 for her role in The New Avengers. A-list clients at John Frieda’s salon included Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker (second right). The stylist photographed with model Lily Cole at Claridges Hotel in 2013. The ex-wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, described the news of his death as “so sad”, model and TV personality Jo Wood.
Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he came from a line of hair professionals. His grandfather was a Fleet Street barber, and his father operated a salon in Ealing, west London. Frieda entered the family trade before joining Leonard Lewis’s star-studded London salon, House of Leonard, where he served as an assistant. During his career, he also contributed to major fashion magazines, including British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
In 1976, Frieda launched his own salon in central London. The venue rapidly became a major success, booking appointments months in advance as his industry reputation grew. Over time, he expanded his business internationally, opening salon locations in destinations such as Barbados, Ibiza, and Los Angeles.
During the 1990s, Frieda stepped away from daily hair cutting to focus on building his line of hair products. He created the popular Frizz-Ease hair serum in 1988, paving the way for a global business empire. In 2002, Frieda and his business partner Gail Federici sold the company to Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450m (#334m).
Reflecting on his career during an interview with the British Beauty Council in June, Frieda shared advice for upcoming hairdressers. He urged stylists to focus on the craft rather than financial gain, stating that the true reward lies in giving a client the best haircut of their life. Rather than thinking about the money or what you’re getting from cutting their hair, just think about the action,” he said, if you have a client in front of you. You will be forever in our hearts.
In his personal life, Frieda was married to Scottish singer Lulu from 1977 to 1990. The couple had one son, Jordan Frieda, an actor who later became a food entrepreneur. In 2019, Frieda married Avery Agnelli, the widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Agnelli, with whom he shared two children and a stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange. Frieda was married to Scottish singer Lulu (pictured in 1976) for 14 years. Believed in us, and made us better, he was the person who taught us everything. Frieda pictured being interviewed in 1991.
Tributes poured in following the announcement of his death. His stepdaughter shared photos on Instagram, describing him as the best man to ever exist. The British Beauty Council expressed love and condolences, while TV presenter Trinny Woodall and model Jo Wood also paid tribute. Jo Wood remembered Frieda styling her hair when she was 16 and he worked as an assistant at Leonard’s.
Cetera Lamb, creative director at Frieda’s London salon, hailed him as a true legend and a real maverick who led the salon for 50 years. She affirmed that the team will continue to honour his memory, values, and vision, ensuring his legacy lives on through their work. For 50 years, he led our wonderful salon, leaving behind an incredible legacy of passion, creativity, vision and outstanding hairdressing.
