Rare Vidal Sassoon Mystery Solved – 1979
Photo: Unknown
This rare Vidal Sassoon photo was part of the 1979 Soft Cubism Collection. The hairstyle was inspired by Marlene Dietrich in the 1931 movie “Dishonored” and it was a Modern Marlene version which is a mystery. It was created for a magazine in Los Angeles but the name of the hairdresser, the makeup artist, the model, the photographer and the magazine are unknown. It is the same dress, and accessories as we used in the collection, so I must have sent them to LA. The mystery deepens the more I think of it. If anyone knows who did the hair or any other people involved, please tell. The hair, the model, the photo, everything is lovely. To see more of the Soft Cubism/Modern Marlene photos, and the original Marlene Dietrich photo, CLICK HERE
UPDATE. The hairdresser was Graham Wren, International Art Director of Vidal Sassoon, NY at the time. The model from this 1979 photo just contacted me after seeing this blog archived on my website – in March 2020. Her name was Samantha Jones. And here is what she said: “Hello. I have such wonderful memories about my time with you all. Thank you for my 15 minutes of fame. I was so thrilled when I saw that picture. The name I used then was Samantha Jones.
Sincerely Samantha Severance
8 Soft Cubism 1979 – Marlene
Soft Cubism hair by Graham Wren, Vidal Sassoon, NY, 1979
SOFT CUBISM – Margaret
This Soft Cubism style was inspired by Marlene Dietrich in the 1931 movie, Dishonored.
The asymmetric symmetric straight soft bob with more volume on one side and new cut-in
waves, is graduated with diffused edges and has versatile bi-level asymmetric fringes.
The length of the bob at both sides is symmetric. We called it at the time
“the most complicated, glamorous, exciting Sassoon cut in years.”
It was designed by Graham Wren, Vidal Sassoon, NY in 1979, with a Spotlite Wave
Persauder (perm) by Allie Galizia and Edward Moore.
Hair: Graham Wren, Vidal Sassoon, NY, 1979
Makeup: Ted Nadel
Wave Dress: Ken Hanneman
Model: Margaret Cullen, Barbizon Agency
Art: Avram
Photo: Lorraine Sylvestre
Concept/Produced by Helen Oppenheim
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © HELEN OPPENHEIM 2012
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13 Soft Cubism 1979 – Marlene
Soft Cubism by Vidal Sassoon, 1979
SOFT CUBISM
Modern Marlene
The Modern Marlene, inspired by the 1931 photo of Marlene Dietrich in the movie “Dishonored” and
cubism was an asymmetric symmetric straight bob with more volume on one side and cut-in waves.
It is graduated with diffused edges on the lean side and has versatile bi-level asymmetric fringes,
which can also be swept back off the forehead. The length of the bob at both sides is symmetric.
This was a complicated but glamorous and exciting Sassoon cut.
This version of the Modern Marlene was done for a TV and promotional tour with Vidal Sassoon,
the man, in September, 1979. I remember finding just the right model for this event,
also flying the model and her dress with Graham Wren, who did the hair, to Los Angeles
where I think this photo was taken.
Note: The photo was scanned from a full page in a magazine. Unfortunately, I do not know
the magazine, photographer, who did makeup and I am unsure of the model’s name.
Anyone involved will be duly credited if you let me know. You all created a lovely version of
the Modern Marlene and a great photo.
Hair: Graham Wren, Vidal Sassoon New York, 1979
Model: Samantha Jones
Photo: Unknown
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © HELEN OPPENHEIM 2012
Comment14 Soft Cubism 1979
SOFT CUBISM
Modern Marlene
This version of the Modern Marlene, part of the Soft Cubism campaign, was by Fernando Romero,
then President of Vidal Sassoon Salons USA.
The asymmetric symmetric straight soft bob with more volume on one side and new cut-in
waves, is graduated with diffused edges and has versatile bi-level asymmetric fringes.
The length of the bob at both sides is symmetric.
Hair : Fernando Romero, Vidal Sassoon President, 1979
Wave Dress: Ken Hanneman
Concept/Produced by Helen Oppenheim
(I do not have makeup, model or photo credits but if anyone wants to provide them I will add them immediately.)
Anecdotes:
Fernando and I worked on this hair in the VIP room of the Vidal Sassoon Beverly Hills Salon
and he laughed: “I broke all the rules!”
We started photographing at around 4 pm, after a superb catered lunch (!)
We ran out of film at about midnight for the video of the photo session, which went on to 4.30 am!
Fernando drove me back to my hotel in his jeep, which had no doors, he enjoyed taking
the corners fast but I pretended I wasn’t scared out of my wits, which I was!
Fernando used to go to Japan a lot in those days on Vidal Sassoon business. On returning
after one visit, he told me this hairstyle (or maybe it was the side view version I can’t locate)
was on a whole building, big, the whole block big. Sadly, I don’t have a photo.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © HELEN OPPENHEIM 2O12
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