Obituary: Hairstylist Alexandre de Paris

PARIS — Celebrity hairstylist Alexandre de Paris — known as the creator of “haute coiffure” and “prince of coiffure,” who counted Princess Grace of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren among his clients — has died at the age of 85.

His death announcement was published Saturday in France’s Le Figaro newspaper, which reported he was buried in his birthplace Saint-Tropez. The cause and exact date of death could not be learned.

Alexandre de Paris was born Louis Alexandre Raimon in 1922. At age 15, he began his hairdressing career at the Antoine salon in Cannes, France. One decade later, he became artistic director of Antoine in Paris and dreamed up hairstyles for stars such as Maria Callas, Jean Cocteau and Romy Schneider.

Other clients included the Duchess of Windsor, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall and Greta Garbo. For Taylor, he created the iconic coif she sported in the film “Cleopatra.”

Especially known for his artistic chignons, Alexandre de Paris famously studded Jacqueline Kennedy’s updo with diamonds for a state dinner in France in the early Sixties. Other signature hairstyles included a spiky creation called the “artichoke.”

Alexandre de Paris also created hairstyles for fashion runway shows — notably Chanel’s and Christian Dior’s during the Yves Saint Laurent era, among others.

In 1952, Alexandre de Paris teamed with the Carita sisters to open shop on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Five years later, his own salon, called Alexandre, made its debut some doors down, and in 1982, Alexandre de Paris opened a salon under that name on Avenue Matignon, where it exists today.

During his lifetime, the hairstylist was spangled with honors. He was made a knight of the Legion of Honor in France and a knight of the National Order of Merit of Saint Charles in Monaco. Alexandre de Paris was awarded the Vermeil Medal of the city of Paris and two French oscars de la mode, as well. For 15 years, he held the position of president of the Intercoiffure worldwide organization.

— Jennifer Weil