Vernon François

Vernon François, originally from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, developed an early aptitude for hairstyling in his Rastafarian household. At eight years old, he taught himself to braid, loc, and twist hair, initially practicing on mops. By the age of 14, he was working professionally in a salon on London’s Oxford Street. His early talent was formally recognized with an industry award at 16 and subsequent accolades including Newcomer of the Year and Black Hair Junior Stylist of the Year at the Black Beauty Hair Awards. In 2016, François relocated to Los Angeles, a move that coincided with the launch of his award-winning VERNON FRANÇOIS® Haircare brand, which is known for its vegan, cruelty-free formulations and intuitive design, earning recognition as Yahoo! Lifestyle’s “Most Inclusive Hair Brand” at the Diversity in Beauty Awards.

Throughout his career, François has become a sought-after stylist for high-profile individuals, creating iconic looks for clients such as Lupita Nyong’o, Solange Knowles, Serena Williams, Willow Smith, and Angela Bassett. His work has been featured in leading fashion and beauty publications, including VOGUE, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Essence. The Hollywood Reporter has recognized him as one of Hollywood’s most influential hairstylists for four consecutive years, noting his contributions to the industry’s “Top 25 Beauty Moments of the Year.” He has also served as a judge for Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards and on the advisory committee for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).

Beyond editorial and celebrity styling, François holds significant positions within the beauty industry, serving as the Global Brand Ambassador for OLAPLEX and L’Oréal PPD, TOC Global Editorial Ambassador, and a core member of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team. He also acts as a Global Consultant, Celebrity Hairstylist, and Educator for Redken. François shares his expertise through television appearances on programs like Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, ABC News, and The Today Show, in addition to demonstrations on HSN. His collaborations extend to luxury brand campaigns for companies such as Lancôme, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Calvin Klein, and Nike, with his work being captured by renowned photographers including Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, and Steven Meisel.