Horst rechelbacher, founder of aveda, passes away

Horst Rechelbacher, the visionary founder of Aveda, has passed away following a period of illness at the age of 72. Horst founded Aveda in Minneapolis 1978 with the mission statement of creating a professional range of products which were not only high quality but also safe to people and the environment. Furthermore, the company wanted to give back to society and set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world. As well as pioneering product technologies and charitable initiatives, the Aveda legacy also includes Concept Salons across the globe and the Aveda Institute school system, which has seen thousands of salon professionals pass through its programme. A statement on company's website from global president Dominique Conseil read: "His vision inspires us every day, not only at work with Aveda but in our lives. Horst led a life of extraordinary leadership, creating a vision of what he wanted to be and then bringing that vision to reality. "At Aveda we are, and will forever be, grateful to Horst Rechelbacher for the Aveda passion we are honoured to live every day.Thank you Horst, we love you." Paying tribute, general manager Aveda UK & Ireland, Darren Potter said: "Horst’s unique vision continues to inspire us, not only at work with Aveda, but in our lives. He brought holistic beauty to the industry, connecting hair, face, and body and in 1978, he started Aveda.  Here he developed beauty products that would care for professionals, their guests and our planet through the power of pure flower and plant essences and alongside pioneered environmental responsibility, seeing Aveda become the first business to endorse the Valdez/Ceres principles in 1989." London-based Aveda salon group owner, Gina Conway paid this tribute to Horst: "Goodbye my friend, my inspiration and the greatest example of social entrepreneurship in the hairdressing industry. We will remember that your light in life shone so bright. You've touched so many lives and led the way for generations to follow. I for one will carry on setting the bar high in respect for you as you did for us."