Long before Marge Simpson or Amy Winehouse created a buzz sporting beehive hairdos, it had to be invented. And that’s how Margaret Vinci Heldt, a star in the world of hair design, made her name.
The iconic style first fashioned in 1960 by Heldt, now a spry and vivacious 92-year-old, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010.
Margaret Vinci Heldt used to tell her clients, "I don't care what your husband does from the neck down, but I don't want him to touch you from the neck up."
The iconic style first fashioned in 1960 by Heldt, now a spry and vivacious 92-year-old, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010.
Margaret Vinci Heldt used to tell her clients, "I don't care what your husband does from the neck down, but I don't want him to touch you from the neck up."
The backcombed ‘do took the beauty industry by storm after Heldt was asked by Modern Beauty Salon magazine in 1960 to create a look that would set the stage for the new decade.
"Nothing much had happened since the French twist, the pageboy and the flip," she said.
"They told me: 'We want you to come up with something really different.'"
Heldt said she was inspired by a black velvet fez-style cap with two beaded decorations that look like bees.
"I liked that hat because, when I took it off, my hairstyle stayed in place," she said.
It's also stayed put for more than five decades. Just look around Hollywood!
In other honors for Heldt and her classic hairstyle, the Chicago History Museum is hoping to add her inspirational fez hat to its collection. Have YOU ever sported the Beehive? Let us know!
"Nothing much had happened since the French twist, the pageboy and the flip," she said.
"They told me: 'We want you to come up with something really different.'"
Heldt said she was inspired by a black velvet fez-style cap with two beaded decorations that look like bees.
"I liked that hat because, when I took it off, my hairstyle stayed in place," she said.
It's also stayed put for more than five decades. Just look around Hollywood!
In other honors for Heldt and her classic hairstyle, the Chicago History Museum is hoping to add her inspirational fez hat to its collection. Have YOU ever sported the Beehive? Let us know!
