The passing of Oribe Canales: A giant in the haircare industry

By Hannah Hillyer
17th Dec 2018

The passing of Oribe Canales: A giant in the haircare industry

Today we heard the sad news of Oribe Canales’ passing at just 62. A giant in the haircare industry for more than 30 years, it is a great loss to the industry.

The Cuban hairstylist worked with the best of the best throughout his career. In the peak of supermodel mania he worked with the greats; Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell. Not only big names in the modelling world did he work alongside, but photographers too, including Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier and Bruce Weber.

It wasn’t until 2008 that he launched his own haircare brand. Sold here in Dublin in Space NK, it is known for being expensive, but for good reason. Combining high performing products with an element of luxury, it is the ultimate range for cool girl hair. Oribe was famous for a style that looked deliberately disheveled, so it comes as no suprise that his best seller is his Dry Texturising Spray, often lauded as a hero product.

We have seen countless members of the beauty industry lament his passing this evening, with many sharing personal and heartfelt stories from working with him through the years. Many of the below, like Jennifer Lopez, had worked with Oribe for a long time, with him having created some of her most memorable looks. Others had him style their hair on their wedding day and considered him a friend.