Jean-Louis David, founder of the hair salon franchise, died on April 3rd. He was 85 years old. 

The visionary hairdresser, born in Paris, is credited for inventing the layered cut for women in 1970 — “created to free women from the shackles of rigid cuts,” according to the history of Jean Louis David salons. 

David retired in Switzerland in 2002, and later suffered a long illness, BFMTV reports. 

David opened his first salon in Paris 1961 on Avenue Wagram, and soon attracted a celebrity clientele. By the 1960s, he was the official hairdresser of the festival of Cannes. In 1974, he was working with fashion photographers Herb Ritts and Helmut Newton.

David founded the Jean-Louis David salon franchise business in 1976 — and by 1994 there were 1,000 locations. 

WWD reports: “He discovered the concept of the franchise in 1974, following a trip to the U.S. to consult for American hair salon chain Glemby. Two years later, David created the Jean Louis David group, branching out to offer hair products and accessories in partnership with L’Oréal.”

David always displayed a large number of photos of hairstyles to customers in the salon, so women could choose which one they wanted — and he was in charge of updating the featured hairstyles with new designs. Later, his artistic team took over — and continues to reinvent cuts, colors and styles today.

David sold the business to the Regis Corporation in 2002, and Provalliance has owned it since 2007.

Photo: via Lilla