A Bumble and Bumble Press publication, written by Michael Gordon.

Everybody needs a hero. Hairdressing has always been behind-the-scenes, usually uncelebrated, except for the few who achieve fame. Many are well known by name or signature work, some are not — but all are important in the evolution of the craft. Hair Heroes features interviews with twelve masters of modern hairdressing:

Kenneth,
who Jacqueline Kennedy trusted with her hairstyle and her secrets;

Gene Shacove,
the inspiration for the film, Shampoo;

Alexandre,
the charming friend of Jean Cocteau and stylist to all of France’s elite;

Luis Llongueras,
who put the curl in Salvador Dali’s mustache;

Aldo Coppola,
the highly successful master of Italian hairdressing;

Sam Lapin,
the father of modern hair color who turned Norma Jean blonde;

Christiaan,
the session stylist who was known to lop off the hair of unsuspecting fashion editors when they weren’t looking;

Irma Kusely,
who was responsible for Lucille Ball’s signature red hair;

Sydney Guilaroff,
who was the first stylist to demand on screen credit raising the recognition of the profession, and who has held more screen credits than any leading actor;

Leonard Lewis,
London’s swinging seventies man of the hour;

Annie Humphreys,
a famed colourist who invented the first wash-and-wear perm;

Vidal Sassoon,
who started a revolution and changed the way we all cut hair today.