Vidal Sassoon

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Sassoon (left) with Figaro Claus Niedermaier from Biberach/Riss (Germany).

Vidal Sassoon (born January 17, 1928) is a cosmetologist and one of the most influential hairdressers of the mid-1960s.

Sassoon was born to humble Jewish parents in London, his father was from Thessaloniki in northern Greece and his mother, whose family were originally from Kiev, was born in London. Unknown to most is that Sassoon volunteered for and fought in the Israel Defense Forces when the State of Israel was declared. Because of this, many Muslims and Arabs refuse to purchase Vidal Sassoon products. Sasson was also a member of the British Anti-Fascist organisation, the 43 Group.

Sassoon's works include the geometric, the wash-and-wear perm, and the "Nancy Kwan." They were all modern and low-maintenance. The hairstyles created by Sassoon relied on dark, straight, and shiny hair cut into geometric yet organic shapes. In 1963, Sassoon created a short, angular hairstyle cut on a horizontal plane that was recreation of the classic "bob cut." His geometric haircuts seemed to be severely cut, but were entirely lacquer-free, relying on the natural shine of the hair for effect. Sassoon is a father of modernist style and has also been a key force in the commercial direction of hair styling, turning its craft in to a multi-million dollar industry.

By the early 1980s, Sassoon had sold his name to manufacturers of haircare products and the multinational Procter & Gamble was applying his name to shampoos and conditioners sold worldwide. Former salon colleagues also bought Sassoon's salons and acquired the right to use his name, extending the brand in salons into the United Kingdom and United States. However, in 2003, it was reported that Sassoon was suing Procter & Gamble for destroying his brand by skimping on marketing in favor of the company's other hair product lines, notably Pantene. In 2004, it was reported that he was no longer associated with the brand that bears his name. Also in 2002, the chain of Vidal Sassoon salons was sold to Regis Corporation, thereby dissolving any connection between the brand, its culture and its founding father.

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