RIP Harold Leighton Hair Icon – 1932-2024

Posted by on Mar 19, 2024 in Helen's Blog | 6 comments

RIP Harold Leighton Hair Icon – 1932-2024

See Text For Photo Credits known. Collage by helenoppenheim.com

Goodbye, dear Harold Leighton, a hair icon like no other.  Born in England, ex Manager of the Salon at the famous Harrods Department Store, the man who introduced Paul Mitchell Hair Products to England and Europe, who worked for  S&L and other famous names, who created some of the greatest hair of his generation.  Harold lived his last decades in Florida from where he generated a buzz about too many products and ideas to list.

In 1957 he married the love of his life, Maxine. My heart goes out to you, Maxine.  There are no words.  Take a look at some of Harold’s work, and his life, lived to the fullest.  RIP, Harold Leighton.  You were loved by many and will be missed by all.

Top Row, left to right : Harold Leighton … Harold with Maxine …  Hair and photo of Maxine by Harold … Famous names, including Vidal Sassoon before he was famous, in 1950,  That’s Harold with hair, wearing glasses! … Many hairpieces and wigs linked together to create the finished big look, Photo: Barry Lategan.
Second Row: Harold and Max wed in 1957, she went on to own fashion boutiques in Hampstead and Conduit Street, in London … 1970 Million dollar hairstyle for Graf Diamonds, Photo Vic Singh … A fave look, a pony with a difference, Photo: John Hedgcoe … Harold, Jeanne Braa, Paul Mitchell , 1986 … “Snowballs” Photo: Tony Rawlingson  …Wigs and Hairpieces, 1963 …’70s extravaganza. “OMG, what was I thinking!” wrote Harold.
Third Row : Harold with”Viddy”  the friend he loved – Vidal Sassoon … One of many articles about Harold … “From Salon to Celebrity” coffee table book by Harold … Harold the dresser teaching … Hair for Fabergé, 1973

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Kiss Curl Extravanganzas – 1990s/1966

Posted by on Jun 2, 2016 in Helen's Blog | 0 comments

Kiss Curl Extravanganzas - 1990s/1966

Photo Left: Gary Lyons … Right: Archivo Llongueras

Hair history is here with these Kiss Curl extravaganzas. And what fun they both are. On the left, the hair was by Jeanne Braa for Paul Mitchelll, as in one of my Peluquerias columns, early 90s. On the right, the supermodel icon Veruschka with kiss curls created in 1966 by Lluis Llongueras, as in his book “Ellas” published in Barcelona, 2015.

Hair Left; Jeanne Braa, Paul Mitchell, 90s … Photo: Gary Lyons
Hair Right: Lluis Longueras, Llongueras, Barcelona … Archivo Llongueras

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NAHA. White Geo Modern – 2016

Posted by on May 27, 2016 in Helen's Blog | 2 comments

NAHA. White Geo Modern - 2016

Photo: © Albert Sanchez

This white short geometric look with interesting curly movements in a modern way is one of five styles Lucie Doughty entered for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) for 2016.  Her work, always interesting, was Nominated, one of five in the Editorial category, and we wish her luck when the awards are given at the Professional Beauty Association (PBA)  event in Las Vegas, on July 24th.  I was a judge for the Winners again this year, and know there are many talents who participated with some amazing work.  Congratulations to all Nominated.  And to some who were not.    There’s always next year …

Hair: Lucie Doughty for Paul Mitchell/StraightPins Studio LA, Venice, CA … Products: Paul Mitchell Hydro Cream Whip, Awapuhi Hot of the Press, Extra Body Finishing Spray … Makeup : John Stapleton/Aim Artists using Mac Cosmetics … Art Director: Pedro Zalba … Photo: © Albert Sanchez

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