Vidal sassoon honoured in the queen's birthday honours

Published 16th Jun 2009 by sophieh
Vidal sassoon honoured in the queen's birthday honours

Vidal-Sassoon09.jpgLegendary hairdresser Vidal Sassoon has been awarded a CBE for services to the British hairdressing industry in the Queen's 2009 Birthday Honours List.

Sassoon, 81, revolutionised hairdressing in the swinging sixties and is seen as pivotal to the UK leading the world when it comes to hairdressing.

Having started his career as a shampoo boy in Cohen's Beauty & Barber Shop, Vidal returned to his homeland, Israel, to fight in the Arab-Israeli War in 1948 before returning to the UK to work with famous hairstylist Teasy Weasy Raymond, in Mayfair.

In 1958, Sassoon opened his first salon and began to create some of the most iconic hairstyles of all time, his favourite being the five-point-cut that took him nine years to perfect.

The man behind Mary Quant's classic bob, Sassoon's other iconic creations included Mia Farrow's crop for Rosemary's Baby and Broadway star Carol Channing's asymmetric bob.

In the late 60s Sassoon moved to California, where he still lives, but his legacy continues through the Sassoon salons and haircare products he has given his name to.

There was also an MBE for Manchester barber John Wood for services to hairdressing and the community.  

John, who styled football legend George Best's hair, has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity with the help of the footballer's whose hair he cut in the swinging 60s.

Do you think Vidal deserved to be honoured? Join the discussion on the My HJi forum

   

sophieh

sophieh

Published 16th Jun 2009

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