By the early 1970s, Mr Leopold had already spent several years working closely with leading French hairdressers. A caption from the era captured the transformation perfectly: Gone are the London hard lines of yesteryear; with a wash, shake, and a brush, the French look is achieved — far more suited to our Australian way of life.
This collaboration with French stylists — including friends such as Vidal Sassoon in London, the creative team at Mods Hair, and Jean Louis David in Paris — introduced a new bilingual training approach to Melbourne. Taught in both French and English, it championed softness, movement, and natural elegance, a striking contrast to the rigid British styles that had dominated the previous decade.
Leopold and his staff embraced these techniques with dedication, opening new creative horizons and bringing both the feminine and masculine French aesthetic to Australian clients. Their work helped redefine what modern hairdressing could be.
A Pioneer of Style
Leopold was also a true trendsetter. He was the first to introduce the “dolly haircut” to Melbourne, featured in a two‑page spread in The Australian Women’s Weekly on June 9th, 1971. This moment placed the salon firmly at the forefront of Australian fashion and cemented its reputation for innovation.
Colour, Personality, and the Client Experience
From the 1980s onward, Ross worked closely with Pam Abeling — personality, image consultant, and clothing colourist. Many clients will remember their first introduction to Pam’s colour analysis system: warm autumn and spring tones, or cool winter and summer palettes. This personalised approach added a new dimension to the salon experience, deepening the relationship between hair, colour, and individual style.
