| Paul Mitchell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cyril Thomson Mitchell January 27, 1936 Carnwath, Scotland |
| Died | April 21, 1989 (aged 53) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Hairstylist |
| Known for | Co-founding John Paul Mitchell Systems |
Paul Mitchell (born Cyril Thomson Mitchell; January 27, 1936 – April 21, 1989)[1] was a Scottish hairstylist and co-founder of hair care product company John Paul Mitchell Systems.
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His mother Jenny was Carnwath's first hairdresser.[2] Mitchell was very proud of his Scottish roots and was reportedly "a Scot through and through."[3] His family moved to London in 1939. He trained as a silver smith before following in his mother's footsteps.
At age sixteen, Mitchell enrolled in Morris School of Hairdressing in London, and by eighteen, won multiple hairdressing competitions.
After completing his five year apprenticeship, he began working at various hair salons. He started to go by his hairdressing name "Paul" full-time when he worked at a salon in Mayfair, London. He joined Vidal Sassoon in the 1960s, becoming one of the best known stylists in London.
In 1966, at the age of 30, he moved to the United States and opened several salons. In 1967, Mitchell helped launch Crimpers Salon in New York where he continued to develop his idea for a new "wash and wear" hairstyle.
In 1980 with just $700, he and business partner John Paul DeJoria founded John Paul Mitchell Systems to market professional hair care products through salons. Its first product was Hair Sculpting Lotion. The company, always ecologically friendly, became the first company to announce that their products did not endorse animal testing.
Paul Mitchell Hair schools are located throughout the country and are designed to assist aspiring stylists with their career. .
Mitchell married a Polish-Filipina fashion model named Jolina. Their only son Angus Mitchell was born in 1970. Four years later Mitchell sold his salon Superhair and moved to Hawaii.
In 1985, John Paul Mitchell Systems establish a fully functional awapuhi farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.
On July 18, 1988, Paul Mitchell was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died in 1989 in Cedars Sinai Medical Center as a result of liver and pancreatic cancer leaving behind his son Angus, fiancee Millie and mother Jenny. He is buried on his estate on the Big Island of Hawaii. His son, Angus has carried on his father's legacy of John Paul Mitchell Systems & Schools (along with John Paul DeJoria) and creating his own salon, Angus M in Beverly Hills, CA.[4]