We just heard of the passing of Monica French, wife of the late Freddie French the founder of French of London and the mother of cover and platform artist Nicholas French.
Monica and Freddie pioneered salon chains. French of London salons were in multiple department stores around the UK, Hotels as far as The Mount Nelson, Cape Town and as near to home as the Mayfair Hotel London. Over 20 cruise liners that traveled the world had French of London Salons on board. They had their own product line which was sold worldwide and they also created the first bathroom products for hotels.
Nicholas and Richard Dalton worked at the Mayfair Hotel, London with Monica in the early days styling the hair for celebrities that passed through the hotel. One of Nicholas's favorite memories was wathcing Monica manicuring the nails of Diana Ross and the Supremes while he and Dalton styled and set their hair pieces for their tour. Says Nicholas, "Monica was a great personality in the industry and did great work at Intercoiffure and the Hairdressers Benevolent Fund. This is the end of an era for our industry in the UK."
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