The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (2024)

The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (1)

The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (2) The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (3)
  • Sam McKnight, the hairdresser behind Diana's 1990s haircut, said the look was an impromptu decision.
  • He said she asked him what he'd do with her hair, and he replied: "Cut it all off and start again."
  • Later, Diana said the haircut was a turning point for her going from "victim to victor."

The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (4)

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The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (6)

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Princess Diana's former hairdresser said her 1990s androgynous hairstyle was an off-the-cuff decision stemming from her desire to change, according to a new Channel4 documentary, "Diana: Queen of Style."

Sam McKnight, who went on to work with Diana until her death in 1997 according to InStyle, said he first met her on the set of a British Vogue photo shoot in 1990. It was on her way out after pictures were finished that she asked him, seemingly spur of the moment, what he'd suggest doing with her hair, he said.

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"I could sense that she wanted to change," the British hairdresser said. "I said I'd just cut it all off. Cut it all off and start again. So she said 'Ok, let's do it.'"McKnight, who captioned a clip from the documentary on his Instagram on sunday saying it was a "stroll down memory lane," went on to describe how he put then put a "bit of plastic" around Diana's shoulders and "cut it all off there and then."

The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (7)

Though it was an impromptu decision, the Princess of Wales later called it a critical moment for her personal growth. In the 2017 documentary "Diana In Her Own Words," overlaid with audio from interviews Diana self-recorded, a friend asks her if she can pinpoint turning points in her life where she went from "victim to victor," Vogue reported in November 2020.

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"I suppose last summer when Sam cut my hair differently," she responded. "It let out something quite different."

Upon learning the impact the haircut had on her, McKnight became emotional, the publication added. "It hit home because it shows the power of hair for not just a celebrity or a royal, but for anyone. Hair is so powerful," he said.

The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (8)

Speaking in the documentary, McKnight said in retrospect "that was a time of change for her." Diana and Prince Charles would announce their separation in December 1992 and ultimately file for divorce in August 1996.

McKnight added that "the haircut became instrumental" in Diana gaining control of the direction of her own life.

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The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (9)

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The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again' (2024)

FAQs

The hairdresser behind Princess Diana's androgynous 1990s haircut says he suggested she 'cut it all off and start again'? ›

After the shoot ended, Princess Diana asked McKnight the question every stylist dreams of hearing: what would you do with my hair if you had free rein? And the answer for McKnight was a no-brainer. "I said, 'I would cut it all off and just start again,'" McKnight said in the video.

Why was Diana's hair so short? ›

Princess Diana's iconic pixie cut, which became a symbol of independence, was born out of a spontaneous decision during a photoshoot in 1990. Her hairstylist, Sam McKnight, suggested cutting off her hair, and to his surprise, she agreed immediately.

What is Princess Diana's haircut called? ›

Sam McKnight was Princess Diana's hairdresser. He relates a story about how her iconic textured pixie cut, came into being.

Did Princess Diana have a perm? ›

“I'd come back to this perm that I'd have to blow out, which meant it quickly returned to the fluffy '80s froufrou cut.” Said perm made it easier for Diana to do her own hair while carrying out engagements in the UK, but it wasn't to last that much longer.

Why did Diana never grow her hair? ›

So far as I know, she never grew her hair to her waist. And after her marriage, she kept it shoulder-length or shorter. The reasons are simple for shorter hair: it had to be kept nice, and for long periods, while she was a working royal. That's more difficult for longer hair and elaborate hairstyles.

How tall was the late Princess Diana? ›

How Tall Was Princess Diana (Was She Taller Than Prince Charles?) Princess Diana was taller than the average UK woman, standing at 5ft 10in or 1.78 meters. The royal couple, Charles and Diana, were actually the same height, but pictures were strategically posed to make Charles appear taller.

Did Princess Diana have thick hair? ›

Princess's Diana's hair grows lush and thick and blond, all qualities I am prepared to find beautiful; it's bobbed, and I often find a bob fetching.

What is the name of the androgynous haircut? ›

Any pixie haircut is androgynous, but if you're looking to switch things up, go with an asymmetrical pixie which will add length and variety to your look.

Did Dodi propose to Diana? ›

The 2007 inquiry conducted by Metropolitan Police found that while Fayed may have been planning a proposal, that evidence points to the conclusion that one did not take place, per CBS News. The ring was found at Fayed's flat, which Diana had not visited that day.

Did Princess Diana wear false eyelashes? ›

Princess Diana's makeup artist has shared that she would never use false eyelashes on the late Princess, as she never wanted anything too "flashy". Mary Greenwell, Diana's longtime friend and makeup artist throughout her life, revealed the secret behind creating her famously gorgeous looks.

Did Princess Diana dye her hair blonde? ›

It was caused by a genetic mutation or aberration which means she didn't have blonde genes and that's why her hair naturally darkened to brunette as she got older. She was told if she wanted to get Prince Charles's attention, she would have to dye her hair blonde, which she did by 1980.

Did Princess Diana have a long nose? ›

The princess's big nose was actively discussed by the press. Diana tried to hide it with the help of a big hairdo, as well as resorting to a special pose in all of her photos. She would bend her head slightly down, turn it a bit to the side, and lift her eyes. This became her signature angle.

Why was Princess Diana's dress so wrinkled? ›

Her wedding gown barely fit in the royal coach.

Paul's Cathedral, as the excessive amount of fabric made it difficult for her to fit in the coach. Folding the fabric over and over to fit Diana into the carriage was what caused the wrinkles on her dress, designer Elizabeth Emanuel told the Daily Mail.

What were Diana's last words? ›

Sergeant Xavier Gourmelon, a firefighter, who was on the scene, said Princess Diana's last words were "My God, what's happened?" When Princess Diana was extracted from the wreckage of the car, she went into cardiac arrest. First responders performed CPR, and got her into a hospital.

Why was Diana's dress so creased? ›

It was a lot more than we thought. ' This happened despite many dress rehearsals in the run-up to the big day, and the wrinkles were apparently due to the carriage ride, according to the designer.

Why did Diana's coffin weigh so much? ›

The coffin bared a weight of a quarter of a tonne (250 kg / approx 550 lb) as it was lined with lead, as is tradition with British royalty. At St James's Palace, Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales, her sons, and her brother joined to walk behind.

What is the bixie haircut? ›

The Bixie haircut is a hybrid style that combines the best elements of a short bob with the texture of a pixie cut. It typically features shorter layers at the nape of the neck with a slight graduation and then longer, more textured layers towards the crown and fringe.

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