Hair Heroes [Paperback]

Michael Gordon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0972147500 | ISBN-13: 978-0972147507 | Publication Date: December 1, 2002

Hair Heroes, a new book by Michael Gordon, founder and owner of Bumble and bumble, celebrates true legends in hairdressing as heroic figures. "It's important to recognize those who have raised the bar and forced hairdressers who followed to reach higher and achieve more," says Gordon. "Ours is an artisan craft but for reasons I do not understand we don't pay homage to the artists who have preceded us."

Hair Heroes features interviews with twelve masters of modern hairdressing: Kenneth, who Jacqueline Kennedy trusted with her hairstyle and her secrets; Gene Shacove, the inspiration for the film Shampoo; Alexandre, the charming friend of Jean Cocteau and stylist to all of France's elite; Luis Llongueras, who put the curl in Salvador Dali's mustache; Aldo Coppola, the highly successful master of Italian hairdressing; Sam Lapin, the father of modern hair color who turned Norma Jean blonde; Christiaan, the session stylist who was known to lop off the hair of unsuspecting fashion editors when they weren't looking; Irma Kusely, who was responsible for Lucille Ball's signature red hair; Sydney Guilaroff, who was the first stylist to demand on screen credit raising the recognition of the profession and who has held more screen credits than any leading actor; Leonard Lewis, London's swinging seventies man of the hour; Annie Humphreys, a famed colorist who invented the first wash-and-wear perm; Vidal Sassoon, who started a revolution and changed the way we all cut hair today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An impressive collection of one-on-one interviews, conducted by Gordon, with 12 of hairstyling's most influential talents..." -- Patricia Reynoso, W Magazine, December 2002

"This self-published, beautifully designed collection of Q&A's with (some) of the greats of hairdressing..." -- The New York Times, December 22, 2002

"This self-published, beautifully designed collection of Q&A's with(some) of the greats of hairdressing..." -- Penelope Green, The New York Times, December 22 2002

"When you hear the word "hero," you don't immediately think "hairdresser"- unless you are Michael Gordon..." -- Allure, February 2003

"When you hear the word "hero," you don't immediately think "hairdresser"-unless you are Michael Gordon..." -- Allure February 2003

About the Author

Michael Gordon was born in London, the son of a hairdresser. He began his career at the age of 15 as a hairdressing apprentice at Rene of Mayfair. He is the founder and president of the Bumble and bumble salon, product company, and hairdressing school in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Bumble & Bumble (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972147500
• ISBN-13: 978-0972147507
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #957,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The craft of hairdressing lives on, April 10, 2003

By 

"dbsutton" (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hair Heroes (Paperback)

The Buddhist monks create art in sand, the hairdressers is in the hair. It is a fleeting art whose impression is only as good as the hair sustains the cut. Our heroes are usually unmentioned but for the small acknowledgement in the corner of a photograph. Michael Gordon has brought our heroes, our mentors, our master craftsmen and women to life. We can see through his vision the masters before us and it gives us glimpse of the true genius of doing hair. We are lucky that someone has taken seriously our craft and provides us with the history of those before us. Read, learn and be inspired to do something with your hair.