He coiffed the locks of Salvador Dali - adding the curl to the surrealist’s moustache—and still “tresses” the Queen and King of Spain—Juan Carlos and Sofia. But these tasty tidbits are just the tip of the iceberg…or should we say the beauty career of Luis Llongueras. Bo in 1936, this world-renowned Spanish stylist, cum photographer and sculptor, became a styling icon at a time when youths ran wild and Spain struggled to fit in with the new-world order. But unlike so many beauty artists whose fame is fleeting, Llongueras’ storied career has endured for decades, thanks to his technical brilliance and business savvy, not to mention his charming and often irreverent personality.
Several years ago, Pasqual Maragall, exmayor of Barcelona, remarked: “There are people who have made decisive contributions to the style of Barcelona…elements that have made our city famous all over the world. There is no doubt that Luis Llongueras is one of these people.” 
Q: Barcelona is famous for its artistic rebels: Picasso, Dali, Gaudi, you. Why? Is it the special water, wine, education, or something else?
A: We believe that Catalans have so-called “rauxa”—states of madness and unprecedented courage that help us to be better and more original. Who could argue with such a conviction? [Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, Spain; its inhabitants are often referred to as Catalans.]
Known for his humorous and provocative stage shows, Llongueras delights in challenging the moral precepts of his audience, as well as their visions of what truly defines beautiful hair. In Catholic-dominated Spain, for instance, he once had models dress as nuns while somber, religious music played in the background, before having them strip down to skimpy outfits. When a longhaired model fled the stage just prior to receiving a very short haircut, Llongueras tued to the audience and began cutting his own hair. And at the first Cosmoprof North America, when his presentation ran very late, he continued his program even after the stage manager tued off the lights.
Q: Despite your long and illustrious career, you refuse to mellow with age, often reverting to the mischievous, bad boy of your youth, or relishing your signature role as a beauty provocateur. Why?
A: True art cannot exist if it doesn’t shake— even confuse—the soul in some way. Either you become a violator and provocateur, or you compromise your beauty career forever. There is no in-between.”
Of course, Llongueras is far from being a mere living legend; his thirst for life is renowned. He’s regularly seen on the nude beaches of Formentera, and he certainly adores his “sweetheart,” the endearing term he uses for wife Jocelyne. “When we make love and she is naked, her hair becomes her main decoration,” he smiles with a bit of mischief in his eyes.
Q: Please share some of the personal riches in your life that have allowed you to be happy and fulfilled. What would your life be like without them?
A: I have always been nurtured by love, friendship and my children. And life wouldn’t be nearly as dear without my sweetheart, or my job and related goals. I can’t imagine being happy in a world without gastronomy, music, art, and Formentera, my refuge… my desert island.
Llongueras is a teacher, an artist, a writer and a beauty rebel. He dreams in color and lives to fulfill all the fanciful thoughts that his imagination conjures. And although his beauty reign has been both long and illustrious, he admits to having more than one beauty idol.
Q: If there were such a thing as a Nobel Prize for hairdressing, who would you nominate?
A: First off, I believe this prize should be given to those who have not only made significant contributions to the development of our industry, but also have become symbols of their respective eras. With this said, I would nominate Alexandre de Paris and Vidal Sassoon. In their unique ways, they were creators of hairdressing history; their contributions should always be revered.
Llongueras’ father was a fashion designer, so it was natural that he wanted his son to receive an illustrative, art-related education. But shortly after enrolling in the BarcelonaSchool of Fine Arts, young Llongueras dropped out. As punishment, he was made to work as an apprentice in a bakery, which lasted exactly one week before the young teen ran away from home. After hitchhiking throughout Europe, he retued to Barcelona and, in need of cash, became an assistant at one of Barcelona’s finest hair salons, Can Dalmau. The rest, of course, is beauty history. 
Q: You’ve been involved in the beauty industry since you were 14 years old. Will you be retiring soon?
A: Based on my age, I should have retired nine years ago, but I do not see this happening any time soon. I will do everything in my power to extend my career by at least another 10 to 14 years. For me, to retire is, in some sense, to die.
Q: How would you like your epitaph to read?
A: Without a doubt, I would want it to say, “Here lies Luis Llongueras, a man who was madly in love with life and managed to always enjoy it to the fullest.”
[Editor’s Note: After this interview was concluded, the beauty world was shocked by the news that Luis Llongueras’ eldest daughter, Esther, terminated his services for the family-owned “Peluqueria y Maquillaje SA” (PEYMA) corporation. This was made possible after Llongueras divorced his first wife in 2005, and the company assets were divided equally between Llongueras, his ex-wife and their children, making him a minority shareholder. In 2006, Llongueras married his longtime “sweetheart,” Jocelyne. As of this writing, it appears that Llongueras is entering a new period in his long and fabled career.]
Comments (0) 
Print this Article
Email to Friend
