UPFRONT
INDUSTRY ICON TONI MASCOLO PASSES AWAY TONI&GUY CEO and Co-Founder Toni Mascolo has sadly passed away, leaving an incomparable legacy in the hair industry, with over 50 years of experience and innovation that shaped modern hairdressing as we know it. Few people have touched as many lives in hairdressing as this man. Toni co-founded TONI&GUY with his brother Guy Mascolo in 1963, with a single salon, and they watched their empire grow to 485 salons across 48 countries, 29 of which are based in Australia. Toni’s innovative nature spread beyond just his trademark brand, as he went on to found essensuals and label.m, as well as ventures away from hairdressing, such as coffee shops, financial services and, harking back to his strong Italian roots, his own pasta sauce. The industry icon’s achievements were recognised nationally in Britain and globally, with particular acknowledgement from the Fellowship of British Hairdressers and even The Queen of England, and an Italian knighthood showing his international prominence. He was awarded an honorary OBE for his services to British Hairdressing, and has been honoured with awards in business, hair and philanthropy for his contributions to every sector. He and his wife Pauline were given the award of Knight & Dame Commander of Saint Gregory from the Catholic church, bestowed personally by The Vatican City and Pope Benedict XVI. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Awards, as well as the AIPP International Legend Award. Toni’s impact can’t be condensed to his many achievements and awards, it was felt even beyond these substantive accolades in the many lives he touched, and careers he built in his extensive time as an industry pioneer. Beloved for his entrepreneurial spirit, infectious energy and capacity to help others, Toni leaves behind an untouchable legacy, and will always be remembered for his enormous influence and the many personal relationships he formed over his long and important career. “Toni was the unsung hero and leader of our brand, as he sat behind the scenes building the business while his other brothers represented the brand on stage,” shared Dennis Langford, Managing Director of TONI&GUY Australia. “Toni had both courage and compassion. Courage to make the hard decisions and compassion to listen to others needs. He came from a family of hairdressers, as his parents were both hairdressers and their father before that.” “Toni had this gift. He could see things that others could not see, and the ability to then make them happen,” Dennis continued. “He got people to believe in his dream. He got every single salon owner within the brand of TONI&GUYto put up their own money and invest in themselves. His dream has always been to grow the best, most respected, creative hairdressing company on the planet, where people love to work, and clients love to be.”
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