It’s an open secret, we have all the feels for Oribe Canales and the iconic global brand he created for hairdressing. Since meeting the man himself back 10 years ago, the Tribu-te magazine team has been enchanted with the life and now the legacy of the Cuban hairdresser. He is the stuff of hairdressing legend!
Oribe Canales by Steven Klein
Known simply as Oribe – a name which now epitomises ultimate luxury in haircare – Oribe Canales was born in Cuba in 1956, but emigrated to the US and went to beauty school in Buffalo, New York. He met Garren, another awesome session stylist, who encouraged him in his career. A working collaboration with Steven Meisel the photographer, and make-up artist Francoise Nars was formed and Oribe became arguably the first rockstar hairdresser.
Oribe’s glamorous signature style
Signature style
Suave, Oribe wore expensive, immaculately put together suits accessorised by his fabulous tattooed ‘sleeves’, and ran with the fashion pack from Miami to LA and back to NYC. He became friends with Gianni Versace, revelling in the 1990s obsession with glamour and becoming the king of big hair/sexy hair look. He worked with Naomi, Cindy, Linda and the entire supermodel posse, and in later years was on speed dial for Jennifer Lopez. More than a gifted stylist and sessionista, Oribe was a personality indeed.
Oribe was the special guest for Tribu-te Magazine in 2014. He created this cover look for us
Remembering Oribe
Oribe’s rapport with women was remarkable. He readily announced how much he loved women, and wanted to help bring out inner beauty and give confidence. Certainly he was as enchanted by his clients – salon to celebrity – as they were with him. Often Oribe would be featured in photographs, underlining the importance of the client-hairdresser relationship. He created this collage for the pages of Tribu-te Magazine which tells the story!
Collage by Oribe for Tribu-te Magazine
Especially for you
In 2008, Oribe and a team of innovators launched the Oribe product range. Haircare and styling products that are born from experience. From his time working for shows and running salons, Oribe knew what both consumer and hairdresser need from a product to create and hold the most gorgeous hair and styles.
Distinctive luxe packaging
As beautifully packaged as possible, with a bespoke fragrance Cote d’Azur (now synonymous with thanks so much brand) and of course, premium performance. Watch here how co-founder Daniel Kaner presents the story of the Oribe brand. Touchingly, you’ll see film of Oribe himself. It really brings home the character we recall so fondly.
Oribe was an artist, a creator, a hairdresser. He died suddenly in 2018 after a short illness. Jennifer Lopez told the New York Times: “He glamorized women, and he made them feel sexy by the way he did their hair and by the way he loved them, and I felt loved by him.”
Find out more about Oribe the man and the brand by visiting:
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Here online you may browse our Portfolio section to find inspiration from the greatest hair artists… read our Blog to discover the top events and what we like about them, then visit our Magazine section to read the latest edition (and archive editions) of Tribu-te publications. If you’d like to enjoy your very own edition of Tribu-te delivered direct to your home – vist the Shop to order a subscription to arrive quarterly. And of course, once a year, you can visit the Tribu-te Show – it’s an awesome presentation of the leading hairdressers on the best stage possible in central London each October! Contact us if you have any questions or would like to submit photography and ideas for any of our editions in Europe – we’re particulary keen to see your salons for our Design section both in print and online.