The sixties were fun times. So many changes were evolving. Women were liberated by the birth control pill,; students were protesting , the Viet Nam war was raging.
Hemlines shrunk, hair rollers' were passe. No wonder it was called the swinging sixties.
Enter Vidal Sassoon. His name was on every fashionista's lips. This hip, new trendsetter had every woman's attention when he lopped off hair and introduced the 5 point cut. From The Archives, Remembering Vidal Sassoon
We said goodbye to the "flipped" and "page boy" styles.
I was about to turn 21. The year was 1972. My sister was a flight attendant for National Airlines. My best friend, my mother, and I were booked on her flight out of Miami to London. On boarding the plane, we upgraded to first class.
Can it get any better?
Mom was a pass rider. We were anxious about her getting "bumped" and missing the flight. The doors were just about to close on the plane when she boarded. We all breathed a sigh of relief!
I was wearing my hair in a "shag" - the hot hair cut of the day. Since London was the mecca of the fashion world back in the day.
Vidal Sassoon had opened his salon in 1954, in a trendy section of London. He was the first hairdresser to earn the title of hair stylist. Fashion conscious women were eager to try out his wash and wear hair cuts.
It was no surprise that after landing at Heathrow Airport, I couldn't wait to book an appointment at his salon.
There is no way I would go to London without having my hair cut at Vidal Sassoon.
This was going to give me bragging rights. It was the one thing I had to do, now that I was going to turn 21.
The following day, I arrived early. My friend accompanied me, asking if I was sure I wanted to do this. My mind was made up and I was excited about the change.
I had no idea of what style I was going to get. Of course, I did not get booked with Vidal himself, but one of his many stylists'.
A trendy redhead with fair skin introduced herself as "Herta." Fingering through my abundant head of hair, she asked;
"Have you thought about going a bit shorter?"
The decision was made, and my shoulder-length layered style was history. I looked at my locks on the floor, as she carefully snipped away. I felt my heart beating as I closed my eyes tightly, afraid to look in the mirror.
When I finally got the courage, I opened them, delightfully surprised with the new me.
I walked out of the salon with a chin length bob, and a sculpted neckline. I loved the style!
Vidal set the trend for young women in the day. Being the smart and talented businesses man that he was, Vidal understood fashion- leading him to create his own line of jeans and ready-to-wear line.
When I heard of his passing it saddened me. I thought of my amazing trip to London- sporting a Vidal Sassoon cut- celebrating my birthday on top of the London Hilton.
Turning 21 at the end of the swinging sixties is one of my fondest memories.
The haircut today represents Mod England. Vidal has a place in history- I will forever remember him and that memorable summer.
Hemlines shrunk, hair rollers' were passe. No wonder it was called the swinging sixties.
Enter Vidal Sassoon. His name was on every fashionista's lips. This hip, new trendsetter had every woman's attention when he lopped off hair and introduced the 5 point cut. From The Archives, Remembering Vidal Sassoon
We said goodbye to the "flipped" and "page boy" styles.
 |
| Grace Coddington models the Five-Point cut Photo: David Montgomery/Getty Images |
Can it get any better?
Mom was a pass rider. We were anxious about her getting "bumped" and missing the flight. The doors were just about to close on the plane when she boarded. We all breathed a sigh of relief!
I was wearing my hair in a "shag" - the hot hair cut of the day. Since London was the mecca of the fashion world back in the day.
Vidal Sassoon had opened his salon in 1954, in a trendy section of London. He was the first hairdresser to earn the title of hair stylist. Fashion conscious women were eager to try out his wash and wear hair cuts.
It was no surprise that after landing at Heathrow Airport, I couldn't wait to book an appointment at his salon.
There is no way I would go to London without having my hair cut at Vidal Sassoon.
This was going to give me bragging rights. It was the one thing I had to do, now that I was going to turn 21.
The following day, I arrived early. My friend accompanied me, asking if I was sure I wanted to do this. My mind was made up and I was excited about the change.
I had no idea of what style I was going to get. Of course, I did not get booked with Vidal himself, but one of his many stylists'.
A trendy redhead with fair skin introduced herself as "Herta." Fingering through my abundant head of hair, she asked;
"Have you thought about going a bit shorter?"
The decision was made, and my shoulder-length layered style was history. I looked at my locks on the floor, as she carefully snipped away. I felt my heart beating as I closed my eyes tightly, afraid to look in the mirror.
When I finally got the courage, I opened them, delightfully surprised with the new me.
I walked out of the salon with a chin length bob, and a sculpted neckline. I loved the style!
Vidal set the trend for young women in the day. Being the smart and talented businesses man that he was, Vidal understood fashion- leading him to create his own line of jeans and ready-to-wear line.
When I heard of his passing it saddened me. I thought of my amazing trip to London- sporting a Vidal Sassoon cut- celebrating my birthday on top of the London Hilton.
Turning 21 at the end of the swinging sixties is one of my fondest memories.
The haircut today represents Mod England. Vidal has a place in history- I will forever remember him and that memorable summer.
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