I practice the Vidal Sassoon method of precision cutting on all lengths of hair. This approach to hair design was developed by Vidal Sassoon in the 1950s and 60s with a solid foundation based on pure geometry. Small scissors are used for all cutting and finishing techniques. Thinning shears and straight razors are not used in the Sassoon method because they can undermine the integrity of precision cutting. The preferred method of drying is either air drying (wash and wear) or a simple blow dry wrapping technique with a non-bristle brush (such as a Denman or Vess brush), and flat ironing if necessary to smooth or slightly round the ends. Curly hair may be dried straight or left to dry naturally, with heat lamps, or with a diffuser. Curly hair can may also be flat ironed.

Sassoon's past is legendary, their philosophy is timeless and their education is continuous. A Sassoon cut is instantly recognizable; it's intelligent hairdressing, a combination of incredible technique and fashion focus - whether from the past, the present or the future, the Sassoon name is synonymous with hair excellence across the world. At the heart of Sassoon's philosophy, is a combination of technical excellence, an acute knowledge and understanding of contemporary hair trends and a passion for creating individuality. Education is the key to Sassoon's continued success. Courses are developed, honed and delivered through the Sassoon international network of schools and academies, creating inspiring and instructive learning environments for prospective students, as truly great hair professionals never stop learning. The Sassoon international creative team produce and deliver three International Collections a year and continue to redefine the boundaries of hair creativity building on their 50 year reputation that is universally recognized.

-Wella International Trend Vision Award '05 

Vidal Sassoon Global Education Diplomas are signed by Tim Harltey, International Creative Director, and Annie Humphreys, International Director of Color and Technical Research. Annie Humphreys began her career with Vidal Sassoon in the 1950's when Vidal bought the salon in which Annie began her apprenticeship. Annie went into the lab and invented the color and perming techniques that allowed women to wear their hair in easy care styles they had never dreamed of.  For 27 years, Annie has been responsible for developing major color techniques that are integral parts of the famous Vidal Sassoon looks.

When Haircutting Became Design

As Vidal Sassoon developed a plan to cut hair geometrically in the 1950's, he was inspired by the Bauhaus Architecture and Design School. The early Bauhaus introduced a revolutionary design principal: form follows function. Simple, functional geometry placed the emphasis on the natural beauty inherent in quality building materials. The equivalent was the French "less is more," the implication being that designers were missing the truly "modern" by trying too hard. They would design an object, but then fail to recognize the functional beauty of their creation, feeling they needed to make that which was already beautiful, more beautiful.

Hair is nature's biggest compliment and the treatment of this compliment is in our hands. As in couture, the cut is the most important element... haircutting simply means design and this feeling for design must come from within.

- Vidal Sassoon

His family's poverty did not permit Sassoon to follow his first ambition, to become a "footballer", or his later ambition, to become an architect. "I thought if I had to do hairdressing”, said Sassoon, “I'd try and be the best I could at it." Applying intelligent and functional modern design principles to hair design, he invented the precision haircut, and because of this he will always be the father of modern hairdressing.

In the 1950's you had to pay to be an apprentice. I wanted to be a footballer, but my mother said that she had had a premonition that she was to take me to visit a hairdresser by the name of Adolf Cohen at 101 Whitechapel Road in the East End of London. Adolf and my mother hit it off immediately, as they both spoke Yiddish. But when she asked if I could become an apprentice, he said the fee was 100 guineas - an impossible amount of money for my mother. We turned to leave and I took off my cap (it was winter), doffed it to Mr. Cohen and held the door for my mother as we went out. Adolf came running after. I don't see many young men as polite as you, he said. You can become my apprentice and I'll waive my fee. My mother looked at me and said, I told you my premonition would work.

I went on to work for Raymond Bessone. He was an amazing hairdresser and he was also the most charismatic individual I'd ever worked with. I had enormous respect for him. He used small scissors for everything: pruning the hair, thinning, and shaping. I watched and learned. I had always loved geometry and I began to develop a plan to cut hair geometrically.

-Vidal Sassoon

"You know the 60's actually began for me in 1954 when I opened my salon. So there was an evolution before the revolution! It took me a long time to get to the 5-point cut!" In the 1960's Sassoon's cutting technique liberated women from rollers, pin curls, and a helmet of hair spray. The cut became the design, and styling that detracted from the cut diminished the design. 

Mia Farrow's $5,000 Vidal Sassoon haircut for Rosemary's Baby (released in 1968) illustrates a new appreciation of the cut.  Vidal Sassoon is shown with Mary Quant, the clothing designer who embodied the 1960's exuberant out-with-the-old feeling. It was called "Mod Fashion", mod being short for "Modern". Best known for popularizing the mini skirt, named after her favorite make of car, the Mini, she built an empire based on free-spirited fashion. Her last fashion invention for the 60s were ‘Hot Pants, and in 1988 designed the interior of the Mini (1000) Designer. It featured black and white striped seats with red trimming, red seat belts, and came in two body colors, jet black and diamond white.

Further reading...

Vidal Sassoon is so much more than an extraordinary hairdresser. He is a visionary and a life-long advocate of human rights. He is undeniably one of the greatest designers of all time, and his life story is inspiring, interesting, humorous, heartwarming, and worthy of further reading. To learn more, the following links will open in a new windows: East London History ; The Secret Life of Vidal Sassoon; Running With Scissors; Answers.com.

Hair is another name for sex.

-Vidal Sassoon

 

Vidal Sassoon teamed up with Mary Quant in 1957, the beginning of his association with the most glamorous designers, models and actresses of the day.

Famously, with Quant’s bobbed hair, he turned the fashion designer herself into a fashion item.

The Quant/Sassoon look still inspires. Maureen Anlauf was selected as Hairstylist of the Year at the North American Hairstyling Awards held July 16th, 2006. One of the five photos that won her the award is shown above. She thanked Vidal Sassoon, who was in attendance, for his years of inspiration.