Alexandre de Paris

Elizabeth Taylor - Event: Dame Elizabeth Taylor Celebrates Her 75th Diamond Birthday Party Ritz Carlton Hotel Lake Las Vegas / Las Vegas, NV 02/27/2007 - Photographer: Terry Thompson / PR Photos - All Rights Reserved

The world famous late hairdresser Alexandre de Paris was born as Louis Alexandre Raimon, in Saint Tropez in September 1922.

Found of the global brand, Alexandre, he was the go-to hair guru for some of the most beautiful and celebrated people in the world.

Called "The Wizard of Hair Arts" he was at the beck and call of Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Greta Garbo (also a close friend), Claudia Schiffer and the Duchess of Windsor.

Alexandre coiffed the tresses of the famous Duchess of Windsor for 30 years.  Sophia Loren was rumored to have had more than 500 hair appointments with him.

Jackie Kennedy To Lauren Bacall And Countess Of Paris

The widow of President John Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy was a long time client.

So was Maria Callas, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Liza Minnelli, Shirley MacLaine, and Romy Schneider were also some of his long time hair clients.

He also coiffed the hair of the Countess of Paris, wife to the pretender to the French throne.

While it's not surprising he style the Countess of Paris' hair, what is remarkable is that he was in his 80s.    The hard working hairdresser lived to be 85 years old, dying in Saint Tropez on January 12, 2008.

The Artichoke Haircut Created With Help Of Nurses

Loris Loddi, Elizabeth Taylor, and others., in scene from CLEOPATRA, 1963 - Image - ©Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science

The wildly talented hairstylist was not only great with creating amazing hairdos, he was able to endear himself to his celebrated clients.  He became close lifelong  friends with many of them.

On the set of Cleopatra in London in 1962 Alexandre was called in to make a seriously ill Elizabeth Taylor feel better.  At the time, the world's most beautiful woman, when asked what would make her feel better reported said "bring me Alexandre".

The French hair guru hopped on a plane and flew to Elizabeth's hospital bed.

There, supported by three nurses, Alexandre create the Elizabeth Taylor famous artichoke haircut.  The haircut was inspired by ancient Egyptian spikes and ringlets.  The haircut became one of the most famous hair looks of all time, even though the film was not nearly as successful.

Some wonder if the famous haircut caught the eye of Elizabeth's married co-star, Richard Burton, who she had not yet gotten involved with.

Richard Burton (as Mark Antony) and Elizabeth Taylor (as Cleopatra) star in 1963 Best Picture nominee "Cleopatra."©2009 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Learning The Hair Trade From A Celebrated Hairdresser

At the age of 14, Alexandre became a hair apprentice to Antoine de Paris.  This was quite a coup for the young wannabe hairstylist.

Antoine one of the most celebrated society hairdressers of his time. He was celebrated for always wearing white and sleeping in a coffin.

His fame came from styling the hair of the renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt.

He also created the so-called "garçon" or boyish look for Chanel in the 1920s.

Summary - Alexandre de Paris

When asked what the secret to his success was, Alexandre said "Never disappoint a woman."  Obviously he lived by his own secret.