Beauty icon John Frieda dies aged 75 as family confirms news and Jo Wood leads tributes

Celebrity hairstylist and beauty entrepreneur John Frieda has died aged 75, prompting tributes from across the beauty and entertainment industries.

The news was announced on the official Instagram account of his eponymous hair salon, which shared a statement confirming he had passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.

The statement read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully… surrounded by his family. 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.

“His talent and passion touched so many, and his legacy will live on in every single one of us. We will continue to do him proud. Our thoughts are with John’s family and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, John. You will be forever in our hearts.”

Frieda’s stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, confirmed his death in a separate social media tribute, sharing a collection of photographs of the pair together throughout the years. She wrote: “Today we lost the best man to ever exist. I share this because I know he touched the lives of so many.”

Tributes have since poured in from friends, former clients and fellow industry figures. The British Beauty Council was among those to pay their respects, commenting: “Sending love and condolences.”

Model, television personality and former wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Jo Wood, also shared a memory of the hairdresser. She wrote: “Oh No… that’s so sad. When I was 16 and John worked as an assistant at Lenards he would do my hair. He was so great… we would go to the pub after… but I couldn’t drink. RIP John it was lovely to know you.”

Beauty entrepreneur and television presenter Trinny Woodall also offered her condolences, commenting: “Sending so much love to you all.”

Cetera Lamb, creative director at Frieda’s London salon, paid tribute to his extraordinary contribution to the hairdressing industry. She said: “The industry has lost a true legend, a real maverick in hairdressing.

“For 50 years, he led our wonderful salon, leaving behind an incredible legacy of passion, creativity, vision and outstanding hairdressing. We will continue in his honour, celebrating his achievements and keeping his memory, values, vision and love for great hairdressing alive. His legacy will live on through us, and we will make sure of that.”

Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, the celebrated hairdresser came from a family with strong connections to the industry. His father owned a hair salon in Ealing, while his grandfather worked as a barber on Fleet Street.

After initially working for his father, Frieda joined the prestigious London salon House of Leonard, where he became assistant to renowned hairdresser Leonard Lewis. Lewis was credited with creating the iconic haircut that helped launch model Twiggy’s career.

Frieda quickly established himself as a sought-after name in the fashion world, working for publications including British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. He also styled a number of high-profile clients, including Twiggy, Jackie Onassis and Sir Mick Jagger.

One of his most recognisable creations came in 1976 when he invented the 'Purdey' hairstyle. The distinctive bowl cut was created for actress Dame Joanna Lumley after she requested a schoolboy-style haircut for her role in The New Avengers.

The same year marked another major milestone, as Frieda opened his own salon at just 25 years old. He also married his first wife, Scottish singer Lulu, in 1976.

His influence soon extended beyond the salon chair. During the 1980s, he began working with American haircare executive Gail Federici to develop his own range of hair products. Their collaboration resulted in the launch of Frizz-Ease in 1988, a range that became particularly well known for helping people manage frizzy hair.

Following his separation from Lulu in 1991, Frieda later married Frances Avery Agnelli in 2019, 17 years after they first met in 2002. 2019 was also a significant year in his business career, as he sold his haircare company to Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450 million (approximately £260 million).

Despite the sale, he retained ownership of his five salons, with two in London, two in New York and one in Los Angeles. Over the course of his illustrious career, Frieda worked with an impressive list of celebrity clients, including Diana, Princess of Wales, Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson.

He leaves behind his wife, four children and two grandchildren.