Hairdressing industry pays tribute to norman bloomfield

It is with great sadness that we report the death of former HJ editor Norman Bloomfield. Norman, who dedicated his working life to hair and beauty journalism from leaving school in 1937, passed away surrounded by family. Norman was a much-loved industry figure who continued to maintain links with the industry even after his retirement as editor of HJ in 1985. His later work included regular contributions as a correspondent for Spanish hairdressing title Peluquerias, up until three months before his death, aged 90. Norman's daughter Sally told HJ that she had been receiving messages of condolence from across the globe. "My father still loved the hairdressing industry," said Sally. "He will be greatly missed by people worldwide."

Industry tributes

"Norman was a lovely man; a true gentleman. I met him 37 years ago and he helped me get my work published, not only in HJ, but in magazines all over the world. He was a true ambassador of the craft; he knew everything and everyone. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry, and whenever he could help he would. He also launched Hair magazine, the first consumer hair title that has spawned many others and helped to elevate the work of hairdressers to consumers. He will be sadly missed." Guy Kremer "If I ever needed to know somebody, or meet a special person in the industry, all I had to do was ask Norman - he was a mine of information. Some of today's hairdressers didn't know him, but he will be missed by all who did. He wrote from the world of hair in the days when Raymond and Freddie French hit the headlines after the war years. Norman's written words were magic to the new kids on the block." Harold Leighton "Norman was always a delight to work with and supportive in our early days of photographic work, which continued during his retirement. I always enjoyed bumping into him at industry events: his passion was so evident. It's sad to hear of his passing. From all the Millers, we are grateful for Norman's kindness and support." Charlie Miller "Norman was an outstanding editor, and no doubt his exceptional stewardship of HJ made an invaluable contribution to the magazine's success. I was lucky enough to know Norman quite well; he always struck me as being one of life's special people. The British hairdressing industry will miss him." John Frieda "I have known Norman since the early 70s. He saw something in me that I wasn't aware of and he followed my career at all the events I was involved in. I became very close to him. His lovely, soft temperament and his articulation as a hair journalist always impressed me. This is a sad loss to our profession. He will be very fondly remembered and sadly missed." Trevor Sorbie "Norman was the hairdressing personality who is present in my mind, even today. In the 60s, 70s and 80s, if you thought of hairdressing, Norman would come to mind. He was a central figure in our industry - a very gracious, charming, polite and most helpful person at all times to everyone." Toni Mascolo "Norman was one of a kind. While I worked at La Coupe Salon in Montreal, I visited London in 1976, and he took me under his wing. From 1982, he was UK correspondent for Barcelona's Peluquerias magazine, the same time I started as US correspondent, so we have always been in contact. He will be sadly missed." Helen Oppenheim, US correspondent, Peluquerias magazine "My name is Albert Navarro and my wife Miriam and I are now semi-retired hairdressers and freelance educators. We were first featured in HJ on July 8, 1977. My wife Miriam was a very young colour technician then and had won the Clynol cup competition in Malta. A few weeks later, a very smart man and his wife came to our then salon, and asked me to create a hairstyle for her. Pleased with the result, he later introduced himself as Mr. Norman Bloomfield. I was stunned, honoured and couldn't believe he was in my salon. That was the beginning of one of the best times in my career; he really encouraged me and inspired me and asked me to send some more hairstyles. With his encouragement we did and they were featured in the magazine. It was the encouragement that we desperately needed in our early 20s. To cut the story short, our dreams came true in the December 7 1979 when we had a whole page to ourselves. We eventually visited his office in London and I remember he told me that I was still young and, if I worked hard enough, I might have a front cover. From that day on we dominated a lot of local magazines in Malta and elsewhere." Albert Navarro