Hairdressing icons: annie humphreys

When Annie Humphreys was a teenage apprentice in London, the salon she worked in was bought by a then unknown Vidal Sassoon. He gave all the staff working there the option to leave or stay - Annie was the only one who chose to stick by Vidal and turn his plan of a groundbreaking modern salon into a reality. Vidal's bold geometric cuts encouraged her interest in colour. Previously, women who had their hair coloured didn't want it to be obvious - but now black, bleached blonde and red were in favour as clients combined dramatic cut and colour to create a real statement. Learning to create fabulous colour at a time when ingredients and methods were far more primitive, Annie had to be part artist and part scientist as she produced innovative, experimental colour looks and techniques.