Hair by Tony Tancredi

The Early Years

Tony was born in Bath, Somerset and won a scholarship at the independent Grammar School, St. Brendan's College. As a child he was very artistic ,musical and creative; being a valued member of the Bristol School's Orchestra and Choir and a leading player in the Bristol Youth Theatre. After leaving school he trained to be a hairdresser at Brunel Technical College, Bristol, where he came top of his class with a Distinction in Ladies Hairdressing. After attending several cutting and colouring courses at the Vidal Sassoon, Jingles and L'Oreal Academies.

Tony moved to London and worked as a Top Stylist at the exclusive Mayfair salon at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, styling the hair of the rich and famous. After a chance meeting with legendary hairstylist "Dizzy" of Carnaby St. , Tony was offered the position of manager of his flagship salon in Victoria and within a year was offered a partnership and then the position of General Manager of the group's eight salons, moving back to the West End again to be based in the group's Covent Garden salon, in the heart of London's Theatreland. Whilst there he styled the hair for many of the principal and supporting artistes for many West End shows including Blood Brothers, Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Grease, Happy Days, Miss Saigon, Time, We Will Rock You, and others.

Due to "Dizzy's" failing health the salon group was split up and sold and Tony bought the Covent Garden salon and then another one in Bloomsbury which he ran successfully for several years before he sold them and went back to college to study to be a Lecturer and to concentrate on his editorial and freelance work.