Harold Leighton
Hairstylist - Author - Journalist - Inventor - Public Relations - Photographer
"Hair cutting for Everyone"
"The Complete Book of Hair Care"
"From Salon to Celebrity"
are the titles of Harold's books and whom better to write them than one of Europe's most respected hairstylist of the 21st century.
Harold was Creative Director and Consultant to Essanelle (Seligman and Latz) and Glemby (now known as Regis) for 20 years based out of Harrods in London, The Elizabeth Arden/Red Door salon in Bond Street and Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly London were 3 of the salons that Harold had worked. He traveled throughout the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Scandinavia, South Africa, Canada, Iceland and the USA working in some of the most prestigious named stores in the world, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Bergdorf Goodman KDV-Berlin, Horton, Kaufhauf, and Stuttafords South Africa to name but a few. He appeared on national and international TV, the national press and magazines in all countries. His show work for Loreal Wella, Schwartzkopf, Redken, Paul Mitchell, the launch of the Leighton Brush line took him global.
Harold could write a "Who's Who" of the Hollywood stars he has attended to. Here are just a few: Julie Christie, Faye Dunaway, Joan Colins, Glenda Jackson, Raquel Welch, Jackie Bisset, and creating Sharon Tate's hair for her wedding to Roman Polanski.
Harold has also worked with some of the most prolific photographers and Models of the 21st century: David Bailey, Cecil Beaton, Terry O'Neil, Helmut Newton, Ken Brower, Christophe Kutner, John Hedgcoe, Bert Stern the late Terry Donovan and Norman Eales and many more. Models such as Jean Shrimpton to Kate Moss, the list is endless.
The Leighton hair images have appeared in consumer and trade journals at an international level. From the top consumer magazine Vogue to almost any magazine you wish to mention. Trade journals Hairdressers Journal Int in the UK to Klips Germany, Estetica Italy Modern and American Salon USA.
Leighton has been written up in "Who's Who" 1978-1981. "Who's Who in the Commonwealth" 1st edition 1982. "The International Book of Honor" 1st edition, and "Men of Achievement" 1982. One of the few hairdresser to achieve such accolades in these publications.
His experience in Hair Products with the ownership together with his wife Maxine of the John Paul Mitchell Systems product line in Europe 1984-1996. Job description - Developing the image. Working with Paul Mitchell & John Paul Dejoria with major photographic shoots in the UK and USA Harold produced many of the photographic looks for JPMS from 1984 to 1996.
This period with JPMS Harold helped create the Paul Mitchell line to be one of the most significant and household names in the consumer/hair salon beauty industry.
As a Hairdresser Harold has worked with world class hairdressers: Vidal Sassoon (still great friends) Trevor Sorbie, Anthony Mascola, Leonard Lewis, Michael Rasser, Sam McKnight, John Frieda, Nicky Clarke Alexandre, Jacques Dessange, Guillaume, Jean-Louis David, Didier, The Carita Sisters (France). Lluis LLongueras (Spain) Paul Mitchell, Roger Thompson, Kenneth Battel, John Sahag (USA).
As a photographer he has photographed President Ford, actors James Coburn, Pierce Brosnan, Christopher Reeves, Martin Landau, Margeaux Hemmingway, singer actor Roger Daltry, artist Pablo Picasso, Romero Britto and Princess Diana and more.
He has worked diligently on his photographic book, capturing 74 of the best British hairdressers on the world stage that live on both sides of the Atlantic. "From Salon to Celebrity", "The History of British Hairdressing 1950 to 2004" Published in London by Seven Publications and Paris April 2004. Since late 2007 Harold has been writing a monthly section for "Atlantic Ave Magazine" with features on Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, Bruno Mascolo, Maxine Leighton, Glenn Heino, Michael Gordon, Horst Rechelbacher, Keratin Complex by Coppola, and other creative artists.
Having photographed Paul Mitchell, Jose Eber, John Sahag Vivienne McKinder, Irvine Rusk, Nicholas French, Michael Gordon, Jason Kearns, David Raculiga, Gordon Nelson, Robert Lobetta, Trevor Sorbie and Vidal Sassoon. With such wonderful talent and such great Icon's in the USA, Eugene Soulieiman, Guido, Oribe, Frederick Fekkai, Sally Herschberger, Serge Normant and many others, it is an opportunity to tell the story of the American Hairdressing Icons a future plan for 2010 to photograph 100 great names.
2009 is to be and exciting year to look forward to for Harold as Creative Director for "Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola" taking the company to the UK, Australia and into Europe.
Harold and his wife Maxine, Artist, Sculptress, Dress Designer, and Interior Designer now live in Boca Raton, Florida USA.
Atlantic Ave Magazine
I have been writing a monthly section for "Atlantic Ave Magazine" with features on Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, Bruno Mascolo, Maxine Leighton, Glenn Heino, Michael Gordon, Horst Rechelbacher, Keratin Complex by Coppola and other creative artists.
Keratin Complex
Australian Magazine
London
Epoch Times