Celebrity hairstylist from Limerick who worked with Princess Diana and Martha Stewart, dies aged 66 as tributes flood in
IRISH celebrity hairstylist John Barrett has sadly died at the age of 66 from blood cancer, a close friend confirmed.
The Limerick native grew up in London and opened his first salon over 25 years in New York City.
He ran the salon at Bergdorf Goodman from 1996 and was well-known for working with stars such as Princess Diana, Martha Stewart, Hillary Clinton and the Olsen twins.
The beauty experts death was announced by his business The John Barrett Salon yesterday.
Taking to Instagram, they said: "On behalf of The John Barrett Salon Team, we regretfully announce with great pain, the passing of our founder and owner, the legendary John Barrett."
The team praised his "superhuman" ability to make anyone who sat in his chair feel like "the most beautiful person in the world".
They added: "He lived by the phrase, ‘It’s not just about the hair, it’s about the care.’
"He cared with great passion for his beloved family, salon and staff.
"Now, more than ever, we will come together as the JB Family that John so proudly created and cared for, and continue working hard to make our clients from N.Y.C. and afar look and feel their best.
"John — We will always miss you, love you and we will carry on in your honor and memory. Thank you for all you have done for us and the beauty industry. Rest in peace our dear friend."
Most read in Showbiz
Devastated friends and celebrity pals of the hairdresser rushed to the comments to pay their respects.
Actress Donna Air said: "Such a kind and generous soul, grateful for your kind hospitality in NYC. RIP John."
Broadway star Sierra Boggess added: "John was and is the greatest soul."
Another pal and fellow stylist told how John gave her opportunities that "no one has ever" done.
She said: "Let me run a floor for him when nobody wanted to! Gone and still appreciated every moment!
"From the closing in Bergdorf to the grand opening to his own place! The sweats and the tears i did it all for him!!"
CELEB HAIR CUTS
She added: "It was all an honor and an amazing thing to be apart of! Praying for the entire industry and the John Barrett team!"
Just months before John's passing, the highly respected stylist gave Martha Stewart a bouncy hair cut that left her feeling confident.
The 81-year-old praised Barrett in the caption of her social media ;ost and said: "I got a haircut by the maestro himself, John Barrett.
"The new ‘do is refreshing and lovely! Thanks John!!!"
And John, who also worked with other notable names such as Helena Bonham Carter, Serena Williams and Beyonce, previously opened up about working with Princess Diana.
Speaking to in April, he told how he was "so nervous" when he styled her hair "on a few occasions" in the late 1990s.
Read More on The Sun
Barrett revealed that Diana "had an element of trust to just do what you like".
He said: "With someone like that, if I did anything bad or wrong it would be visible to the whole world."
