Photos: Lorraine Sylvestre
Antonio da Costa Rocha, La Coupe’s King of Chignons, created the Swim Knot Collection in 1977. The hair looked as good wet as dry. He recommended making the chignon with wet hair, then letting it dry naturally. He made a Naughty Knottie dead center at the front, and rolled the sides. For one version, he wrapped the head with 3 strands of braided elastic going through the Knottie. The photo
far right made Italian Vogue and that’s Antonio at work on Oksana the model bottom left. For more Naughty Knotties, go to HairThen, La Coupe, scroll along MishMash on www.helenoppenheim.com
Hair: Antonio da Costa Rocha, La Coupe, Montreal … Swimsuit: Marilyn Brooks, Toronto … Model: Oksana Dykyj …Photos: Lorraine Sylvestre
Yes, Antonio was very special. A beautiful man. Talented. And even published a book on poetry. I can’t take credit for these photos. Only for motivating and training Antonio in hair for the camera and the photographer in photographing hair in interesting ways.
Antonio, was a true artist, an extraordinary human being. Big brilliant dexterous hands, a bigger heart.
Working with Helen his magnificent photos (of which this is one of my favourites) put La Coupe on the map as offering much more than just hair cutting. By the Montreal Sherbrooke street and the New York Madison Avenue clienteles he was adored. He charmed everyone, movie stars, the uber rich, and anyone who sat in his chair. In these beautiful photos, the proportions, the balance, the shine, the shape, the wisps on the temple and neck so perfectly placed. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about him, uniquely talented, uniquely kind hearted.