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I literally cannot wait to see Vidal Sassoon: The Movie. Vidal Sassoon Academy is my alma mater and while studying there I was lucky enough to meet Vidal. He still (or at least did as of 2004) comes to the school and talks to the graduating class. Since each class is only 15 people he goes around the room and individually speaks with each student. When it was my turn I didn’t even know what to say to him because I was so in awe, so I thanked him for having me at his Academy (even though I knew he didn’t have anything to do with me being there).
Those of us in “vanity” professions often get a reputation for being stupid, non-intellectuals; it’s presumed we do hair or make up because we are not smart enough to do anything else, and unfortunately many of the girls I went to the Academy with supported this assumption. However the people at the top, the creative directors, the head colorists and cutters, and Vidal Sassoon himself have always provided a source of inspiration through the knowledge that the ones who succeed are the ones who are intelligent enough to do so. While my coloring teacher Matthew, used to tell us “you can never be too rich or too skinny,” my cutting teacher Tracy used to tell us “don’t be a dumb hairstylist, read the newspaper.” Guess which one is the head creative director of the Academy now?
Even if hairstyling is not something you’re interested in, I highly recommend seeing this movie. Vidal Sassoon literally, single-handedly revolutionized the way women wore their hair and today every single hair cutting style is an offshoot of the original, his. Sassoon’s story is truly inspirational.
On a side note: In the 60’s he gave Mary Quant, a model, what he called the 5 point haircut. While Sassoon passed down all of his styles and techniques in great detail, with sectioning and cutting charts, the 5 point cut remains the only cut whose exact technique of execution is unknown. It is still possible for other stylists to recreate the cut, but Sassoon has never divulged his exact pattern for it. The best part is today Mary Quant is in her eighties and she still wears her hair in the 5 point style (which I can personally attest to since I saw her give a talk on Sassoon). Since the day Vidal cut her hair she has never changed it.
Fun Fact: Did you know Vidal Sassoon was responsible for Mia Farrow’s super short cut in Rosemary’s Baby? This was the first time a woman had worn her hair in this style.
I had the Nancy Kwan graduated a-line bob a few times and loved that cut to death. Will definitely be watching this movie!
