Vidal Sassoon The biography of the great hairdresser

Vidal Sassoon The biography of the great hairdresser Dambaev Dymbryl P-471

Contribution The importance of Sassoon in the philosophy of hairstyle is compared to Coco Chanel’s women’s suit: he created fresh standards of simplicity and harmony. He is the person who created hairstyles without a hair set.

Biography Vidal Sassoon was born in London on the 17 of January in 1928 in the family of Sephardic Jews. His father belonged to the Greek town Thessaloniki and his mother was born in London though her family originally came from Ukraine. Having been too young to serve in World War II, he became the youngest member of the 43 Group, a Jewish veterans' underground organization. It broke up the British Union of Fascists meetings in East London. Decided to be a hairdresser in 1942 he started the career with the vacancy of cleaner in one of the London's barbershops. When the peace-time came he could go to the barbers' school.

A start in life Graduated from school Sassoon for some time worked in small barbershops until in 1948 he left to Israel, where he took part in the struggle for the Jewish homeland. He didn't even think about coming back to London until he received a telegram from his mother saying about the death of his step-father and where she asked him to come back. Returned to England Sassoon got a job in the hairdressing salon in the center of London where he had a great success.

Success In 1954 Sassoon opened in London his first hairdressing salon. Totaly famous he became in 1957 when his hairstyles appeared on the podium where miniskirts were presented for the first time. Fashion show of Mary Quant had a great success and young hairdresser was called like "Chanel of the hairstyles"

Fame Though true fame found Sassoon in 1950 s. He was called the innovator in the world of hairstyling. It's he who invented such hairstyles like "bob", "sassoon" popular in the USSR. In 50 s the hairstyles were taken as an annoying essence, which cannot be free: so the hair were pin-curled, seted, covered with hair spray and it took such a form which cannot be reached in the natural conditions.

Ideas Vidal Sassoon was the first person who had an idea to make use of hair's natural value: its elasticity, ability to curl. In 1965 when all of the USA were under the sway of hairstyles like Dallas, and clients were hooked on the perm and hair sprays, Sassoon opened in New York his first hairdressing saloon at Manhattan.

Among his clients there were such as model Twiggy, singer Mireille Mathieu. In early 60 s in his salon peeped Beverly Adams who became his wife in little less than a half of the year. Beverly dropped everything and during all of 13 years of their marriage was irreplaceable Head in the company of her husband. Being popular person in the Hollywood (filmed with Elvis Presley, Dean Martin and Mickey Rooney) It's she who helped to fame her husband's name among her american friends and colleagues. To cut hair at Sassoon's became very prestigious.

With his light hand on the head of the Hollywood actress Mia Farrow was born super-short asymmetry "bob", being on the top-lines of best hairstyles up to now. Haircut didn't took any of the hair sprays though looked natural, freshly and stylish. Just then apeared famous expression "Wash and Go", describing the simplicity of hair care. This name also has famous shampoo 2 -in-1.

His famous "geometric" haircut - short "swing" hairstyle - he honed to perfection within 9 years. This period gave it several basic varieties: "symmetric", "asymmetric", "bob" and world famous "five -pointed" haircut. It took years and radical social changes to "Washand-wear" formula take root while in hairstyling appeared expression "sassooning", meaning full cycle of Vidal Sassoon's services starting with heart talk transferring into washing head, dyeing hair, hair cutting and hair styling.

In 80 s hairdresser leaves England moves to the USA where the true value of his mastery was seen. And soon his name appeares on the beauty products of Procter&Gamble company - become popular all over the world. Therewith in 1984 Sassoon became an official stylist on the LA Olympics. Today there is 26 hairdressing saloons and 11 academies of hair care art in the USA. Hand blow dryer is also his invention.

"Procter & Gamble" corporation shampoo was produced under his name. Nevertheless, in 2003 Sassoon took legal proceedings against "Procter & Gamble" claiming that "Procter & Gamble" corporation poorly market " Vidal Sassoon" in favour of their other product - Pantene. In 2002 Sassoon's hairdressing saloons were sold to Regis Corporation. By the 2004, according to the mass media messages, Sassoon was not connected to the brand under his name.

Sassoon divorced with his wife in 1980. They had 4 children, including adopted one. One of their daughters, actress Catya Sassoon, died from the narcotic overdose on the 1 of January in 2002. Sassoon was the author of a few books including "A Year of Beauty and Health" co-authored by ex-wife. Also he filmed in TV series "Your New Day with Vidal Sassoon" in the end of 1970 s.

After selling his company in 1980 s, he then worked towards philanthropic causes such as the Boys Clubs of America and the Performing Arts Council of the Music Center of Los Angeles via his Vidal Sassoon Foundation. He was also active in supporting relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. It also funded educational pursuits on a need-basis in Israel and elsewhere. Sassoon was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.

Vidal Sassoon died at his home in Los Angeles on 9 May 2012.

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