John Francis Dellaria was born in Massachusetts on April 8, 1936. His legacy lives on in the hairstyles created by salon professionals, who use his cutting system purely and with their own innovations.
John’s career started as “Mr. John” of Continental Coiffures, on Langley Road in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. For many years, John served as Chairman of Dellaria Limited with salons throughout Massachusetts. When John Dellaria began his career, technical knowledge was limited and success was achieved when the mirror reflected a client’s smile. Talent and a lot of experience produced a methodology of applied technique.
In 1981, Dellaria opened a 5,000 sq. ft. salon in a historic landmark building at 433 W Broadway in SoHo, New York. The ‘ahead’ of its time, spacious tri-level salon had computers, video monitors, movable hair dryers, studio lighting, a central vacuum system, and freshly brewed espresso and cappuccino. Designed by John and his manager at the time, it was christened the “Love Boat”. Although New York magazine wrote that the salon resembled a “rocket ship.”
“It’s definitely the spankingest white space we’ve seen.” (New York/November 2, 1981)
John Dellaria said, “New York itself is a tremendous source of creative energy. Being in SoHo allows me greater freedom of thought and expression.” His passion for creating the latest in hair design landed John regular top-fashion-magazine features and soon he became the celebrity Hairstylist, requested to coif top fashion models and leading actresses, like Mia Farrow and others. This spotlight further propelled John to expand his network of artists and entrepreneurs, who ultimately helped pioneer the renaissance of SoHo into the thriving fashion retail and beauty service district it is today.
Dellaria’s philosophy was: “Hair is fashion. Fashion is change.”
“Change means being today and sometimes tomorrow. Nothing dates us more than our hairstyle. It must remain current, reflecting where society is and who we are at the moment. For me, the hairstyle is the most creative way of expressing who we are and who we hope to be.”
An innovative industry leader with a career that spanned over 60 years, John mentored thousands of hairdressers, who adored him and found inspiration in his approach: matching the hairstyle to the person. “Before you look at their hair, see the individual and decide what will make that person look and feel attractive.”
Alas, in the 1990s an astonishing amount of hair industry professionals were plagued by the AIDS virus. To help fight this crisis, John along with many of his colleagues and top local hairdressers, came together to create Beauty Cares/Hair Cares Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that helped local AIDS-afflicted victims, bringing public AIDS awareness through well-publicized hair and fashion shows… like the always-to-be-remembered AIDS benefit held at the Palladium on July 15, 1996.
During John Dellaria’s reign as one of America’s top hairdressers, John served on numerous national and international hairdresser advisory boards, and his notoriety led him to serve as President of Intercoiffure Hairdresser Organization in North America and Canada, as Fashion Director for six consecutive years. His honors included “Intercoiffure Man of the Year” and Hall of Fame Inductee, “Owner International Award,” “Super Styler,” and “Salon of the Year.”
An international guest platform artist, Dellaria, and his stylists were regularly featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Coiffure de Paris, French Vogue, International Hairdresser, and New York magazine. In his signature all-black attire: jeans, T-shirt and ball cap, John was well-known in the restaurants where he gathered with friends. John, the photographer, uniquely captured fashion and life on the streets of New York, through eyes that deeply appreciated the beauty in all people and things.
John Dellaria left us on October 2, 2016, but his legacy will forever be remembered by all whose lives he touched, both personally and professionally. He was a gentleman, who gifted us with his magnetic smile, kind acts and words, laughter and great hairstyles.
Pyrametrics®
John Dellaria’s legendary international artistry lives on in Dellaria Salons today, through his renowned training and educational techniques that each and every one of our accomplished artists receive in reaching precision success through John Dellaria’s signature hair system, Pyrametrics® –a revolutionary approach to hairstyling that created an international cadre of designers, who continue building loyal client followings using John Dellaria’s Pyrametrics® technique.
“We create styles that work for you… from the best ½ inch trim to the most advanced fashion statement.”
Pyrametrics® does not refer to a particular cut or style. It is a whole new approach. With Pyrametrics®, the world of hair is no longer flat. It is contoured, molded, and shaped. The client’s hair feels fuller and more alive. Because of Pyrametrics®, clients can actually go longer between styling. Like John Dellaria’s artistic legacy, it is built to last!