Paul Mitchell (hairdresser)

Paul Mitchell (born January 27, 1936 in Carnwath , Scotland , † April 21, 1989 in Los Angeles ) was a well-known hairdresser and a founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems .

Life

Paul Mitchell's mother was a hairdresser. At the age of 16, he began training at a cosmetics school, which he attended for five years. After that, Mitchell worked in four salons and won several competitions.

From the early 1960s to 1966 he worked with Vidal Sassoon and became one of London's best known hairdressers . Mitchell then became director of Bendel's Beauty Floor at Henri Bendel's in New York City . During this time his works were published in major fashion magazines. With his "Sculpting" and "Wash and Wear" techniques, he ensured that his customers also had the opportunity at home to quickly recreate their haircut without having to use a curler. He became known as the "hairdresser of the hairdressers".

In 1967, Mitchell and other investors founded the Crimpers Salon in New York City. He was very successful in the business and opened other salons in Boston , Chicago , Dallas , and Philadelphia . In 1972 Mitchell sold his stake in the chain. A year later he opened the Superhair Salon in New York City. At the end of the 1970s, Paul Mitchell put on up to 150 hairdressing shows a year, which cost him a lot of energy. “Burned out” he therefore moves to Hawaii .

In 1980 he co-founded the hair care company with John Paul DeJoria , which later became known as John Paul Mitchell Systems . The starting capital of about $ 700 was borrowed from DeJoria's mother.

On July 18, 1988, Paul Mitchell was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Four days later, his pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, and part of his stomach were surgically removed. After he left the hospital on September 30 that year and returned to Hawaii, he was still under medical nursing. During this time, Mitchell continued to work for John Paul Mitchell Systems. At the end of the year his health improved. At the beginning of 1989, however, this deteriorated increasingly; in February 1989 the cancer was diagnosed with a recurrence. He refused chemotherapy . Paul Mitchell died in 1989 of liver failure from liver and pancreatic cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center .

The company "John Paul Mitchell Systems" is now run by John Paul DeJoria and Angus Mitchell, the son of Paul Mitchell.

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• Estate of Paul Mitchell, deceased, Patrick T. Fujieki, executor, Petitioner, V. Commissioner, Respondent - United States Tax Court (PDF file; 181 kB)