Who: Camello “Frenchie” Casimir, Hairstylist (—1986)
What: Proprietor, Casdulan magnificence salon
The place: Harlem, New York Metropolis
Camello “Frenchie” Casimir was the primary famous Black celeb hairstylist. The Haitian-born artistic was additionally a contemporary dandy who embraced trend simply as a lot as he did magnificence. Vogue, for Frenchie, was intrinsic to his lifestyle.
He arrived in New York by means of Miami within the ’50s, opening and helming a chair on the Casdulan magnificence salon in Harlem in 1952, positioned above Woolworth’s at 210 W a hundred and twenty fifth Road. Years later, he moved the salon to one hundred and tenth Road, adjoining to the Apollo Theatre, ultimately retiring within the late ’70s. It was right here that he advanced his fashion whereas coiffing and entertaining men and women from the neighborhood, alongside a protracted record of Black celeb purchasers. His hair artistry earned the loyalty of Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Naomi Sims, Helen Williams and Audrey Smaltz, a trend trade veteran, founding father of The Floor Crew and a detailed pal. It was Frenchie who paved the way in which for the recognition of the Afro and pure hair appears when he perfected a brief pure coiffure for singer Miriam Makeba in 1960.
Tina Turner and Camello “Frenchie” Casimir on the “King of the Gypsies” wrap get together at Regine’s in New York Metropolis on Might 15, 1978. Photograph: Tony Palmieri
Penske Media through Getty Photographs
Whereas not all the time lined for his magnificence in WWD, Frenchie was usually photographed within the Eye pages for his fashion. “Frenchie was a person about city,” Smaltz not too long ago informed WWD. His pursuit of trend took him to Paris, the place twice a yr he was fitted for and acquired fits by French tailor Christiani. His accent of alternative, a Louis Vuitton scarf, and his signature speckled grey comb-back coiffure paired with distinctive sideburns made him stand out in any crowd.
Camello “Frenchie” Casimir and Audrey Smaltz on the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s opening evening get together on the Uris Membership in New York on February 26, 1976.
Photograph: Sal Traina
Smaltz, who skilled his impeccable fashion, recalled, “He was good — a gentleman and a person. He tried to get others to affix him on his pursuit of favor, however nobody was spending a thousand {dollars} on a swimsuit again then — besides Frenchie.“
