Legendary hairdresser Vidal Sassoon introduced hair cuts that revolutionized the look of the modern woman.

London-born hairdresser <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/fashion/vidal-sassoon-hairdresser-and-trendsetter-dies-at-84.html" target="_blank">Vidal Sassoon</a> is remembered for his captivatingly successful career and everlasting cultural impact. After enduring a troublesome childhood and experiencing the Second World War, Sassoon defied all odds and pursued a career in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/how-david-mallett-is-bringing-parisian-hair-to-new-york" target="_blank">hairdressing</a>. Soon after, he opened his own salon in London and began his world-altering trajectory.&nbsp;

At&nbsp;the onset of his career, Sassoon conceptualized a new haircut for the modern woman, a blunt cut <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/how-to-style-short-hair-best-celebrity-hairdos-2020" target="_blank">bob</a>. The geometric cut was unlike any standard hairstyle of the time, it was low-maintenance and signified a changing of attitudes when it came to women&rsquo;s fashion. When reflecting upon his career in the documentary&nbsp;Vidal Sassoon: The Movie,&nbsp;the stylist said, &quot;If I was going to be in hairdressing long term, I wanted to change things...To me hair meant geometry, angles. Cutting uneven shapes, as long as it suited that face and that bone structure.&quot;

His style, which is said to be inspired by <a href="https://www.lofficiel.at/en/Jewellery%20&amp;%20Watches/swatch-celebrating-the-100th-anniversary-of-bauhaus" target="_blank">Bauhaus</a> architecture, was incredibly attainable and could be recreated in any hair salon around the world. The accessible nature of Sassoon&rsquo;s look blurred class lines and coincided with second wave&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/famous-feminists-that-changed-womens-rights" target="_blank">feminism</a>. The iconic bob blossomed into a number of similarly constructed hairstyles, and Sassoon became a household name. His work was visible on the covers of major publications, in blockbuster movies, and on the heads of celebrities like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sharon-tate-1960s-style-trend-revival-2019" target="_blank">Sharon Tate</a>, Mia Farrow, and Peggy Moffitt. In his later years, Sassoon was honored with a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop%20culture/celebrities-with-british-royal-titles" target="_blank">royal title</a> as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/princess-diana-style" target="_blank">Queen Elizabeth II</a> due to his meaningful contributions to society. In 2011 Sassoon was diagnosed with Leukemia and tragically died a year later. On his birthday,&nbsp;L&rsquo;OFFICIEL looks back on Sassoon&rsquo;s remarkable career.&nbsp;

Actress Nancy Kwan was one of the first to rock Sassoon's revolutionary bob. 

Fashion royalty Grace Coddington appears with Sassoon's signature bob. The harsh angles and clear shapes frame the young model's face in a way that purposefully enhances her beauty.

Sassoon examines his work on model Danae Brook.

The hairdresser styles his Greek-god inspired cut.

Sassoon was unafraid to introduce the quiff to women's hairdressing.

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was just one of Sassoon's royal clients.

Brook models Sassoon's asymmetrical bob.

Sassoon styled long hair too, always maintaining his signature attributes.

Renowned designer Mary Quant was a dear friend and fan of Sassoon's. Here, he gives her cropped cut a touch-up.

This angular cut frames the model’s face in Sassoon’s geometric style.

Sassoon does actress Mia Farrow’s hair on the set of “Rosemary’s Baby.”

Sassoon styles Farrow's hair in an eye-catching updo. 

Chic model Peggy Moffitt poses with a Sassoon cut.

Quant is pictured with another Sassoon style. The designer loved Sassoon's vision so much that she insisted that all of her models get their hair done by him.

How Vidal Sassoon Changed the World With a Hair Cut

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