It is with great sadness that we report that Michael Collis, co-founder of Molton Brown, hairdresser, creative director, entrepreneur and teacher, has passed away at the age of 81.
Michael Collis leaves behind a legacy that continues to shape the profession today.
Michael’s career began at 15, when he entered the world of hairdressing, training at Vidal Sassoon during a period that would come to define a profound transformation within the industry.
His natural talent, discipline and instinctive understanding of hair saw him rise swiftly through the ranks. By the 1960s he had become Vidal Sassoon’s personal assistant – at the heart of an era marked by radical creativity and technical innovation.
He went on to become one of Vidal Sassoon’s youngest Top Stylists, working from the prestigious Grosvenor House salon in London. During this time, Michael played a significant role in shaping the technical and aesthetic language of modern hairdressing, contributing to methods and philosophies that remain foundational to the craft today.
In 1971, Michael co-founded Molton Brown with his then wife, Caroline. Originally conceived as an organic hair salon – an almost unheard-of concept at the time – Molton Brown quickly became known for its progressive thinking, ethical approach and technical excellence. It was here that Michael helped pioneer the finger-drying technique, challenging conventional blow-drying practices and reshaping professional standards.
Michael was also the creator of the Molton Brown rag curlers, widely recognised as the precursor to what is now known as the bendy roller. This innovation influenced approaches to texture, movement and perming techniques worldwide.
Beyond products and techniques, Michael’s greatest influence was on people. He inspired and mentored generations of hairdressers, including Kerry Warn, Sam McKnight and Carol Hemming, each of whom went on to leave their own indelible mark on the industry.
At the age of 55, Michael retired from hairdressing and changed his name to his original family name, Harvey Koniak. Choosing a new path centred on wellbeing and balance, he trained as a yoga teacher and later relocated to Sicily, where he built a home and lived quietly for the remainder of his life. Throughout this time, he remained intellectually curious, spiritually engaged and deeply connected to creativity in all its forms.
His son, award-winning hair designer Joseph Koniak remembers him as "my inspiration, my mentor, and my friend".
Hi family also shared with HJ: "Michael Collis was an extraordinary man: innovative without ego, influential without noise, and generous with his knowledge. His legacy lives on not only through Molton Brown, but through the countless professionals whose careers, techniques and philosophies were shaped by his vision."
We send our thoughts to Michael's family at this sad time.
