Origins & Early Life

Vidal Sassoon (17 January 1928 – 9 May 2012) was a British hairstylist and businessman. He was a pioneer of modern haircuts, structuring hair by cutting rather than styling. In particular he popularised a simple, close-cut geometric hairstyle called the five-point cut, worn by fashion designers including Mary Quant and film stars such as Mia Farrow, Goldie Hawn, Cameron Diaz, Nastassja Kinski and Helen Mirren.‍ His early life was one of extreme poverty, with seven years of his childhood spent in an orphanage. He quit school at age 14, soon holding various jobs in London during World War II.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Although he hoped to become a professional footballer, he became an apprentice hairdresser at the suggestion of his mother. After developing a reputation for his innovative cuts, he moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, where he opened the first worldwide chain of hairstyling salons, complemented by a line of hair-treatment products.‍ He sold his business interests in the early 1980s and began funding Israeli think tanks. In 2009, Sassoon was appointed CBE by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Vidal Sassoon: The Movie, a documentary film about his life, was released in 2010. In 2012, he...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agnès Varda — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alexander Bogdanov — Contemporary (Died in 1928) (1928): Polymath philosopher, pioneer of blood transfusion, and key Bolshevik revolutionary.
• Adam Yauch — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Alfred F. Young — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Blue Ivy Carter — Contemporary (Born in 2012) (2012): American singer, actress, and dancer, daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
• Al Capone — Shared historical date (01-17 · Born) (1899): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alain Badiou — Shared historical date (01-17 · Born) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Albert A. Michelson — Shared historical date (05-09 · Died) (1931): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Albert Finney — Shared historical date (05-09 · Born) (1936): Esteemed English actor celebrated for his versatile stage and screen performances.
• 1928 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1928
• January 17 (01-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 17
• 2012 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2012
• May 9 (05-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 9