Today, the beauty industry is mourning one of its greats: Oribe Canales, the Cuban-American hairstylist who shot to fame working with celebrities and models over the last four decades, has died at 62. "We can confirm that this sad news is true. Oribe was an amazing hairdresser and friend and will be missed," Oribe's team confirmed to Refinery29.
Canales, who dreamed up some of the most iconic editorial and fashion show looks of the '80s and '90s, also founded his eponymous global haircare brand with award-winning products like the cult-favorite Dry Texturizing Spray. And although he had an esteemed résumé — that included working with many notable celebrities and supermodels, including Cher, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss — perhaps his most famous relationship was with Jennifer Lopez, who met him on the cover shoot for her first album in 1999.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
This afternoon, Lopez remembered the hairstylist by sharing a montage of photos of the two of them together on set, including a backstage shot from her "Jenny From the Block" music video. "We fell in love with each other. We traveled the world together. And along with Scott Barnes they helped me blossom into JLO," she wrote on Instagram, "He was a true artist.
He made me feel special and beautiful for so long. I could go on and on but I will just say with a heavy heart... Thank you sweet, beautiful man... I will miss you. I love you Oribe... so much.."
He made me feel special and beautiful for so long. I could go on and on but I will just say with a heavy heart... Thank you sweet, beautiful man... I will miss you. I love you Oribe... so much.."
Lopez joins dozens of celebrities who are also taking to Instagram and Twitter to share a massive outpouring of love for the late hairstylist. "I’d do anything to tell you one more time how beautiful you make me feel .... I love you Oribe. & I Always will," Miley Cyrus wrote. "Tell me this is not true," wrote Naomi Campbell. "Broken beyond words. Beautiful SOUL, there will never be another." Heidi Klum, Cindy Crawford, Debra Messing, and Debi Mazar also posted tributes.
I will miss you Oribe
— Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) December 17, 2018
❤️??
#Oribe pic.twitter.com/0Bic0teETz
#ORIBE left this Earth way to soon. What a beautiful, passionate, funny, man and an icon in the world of Hair and beauty. Feel so blessed to have interacted with his magical spirit. #RIP
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) December 17, 2018
Industry professionals and friends of the hairdresser, like Daniel Martin, Elle, and Molly Roncal, are also expressing their condolences. Longtime friend and celebrity makeup artist Mary Greenwell posted a photo with the heartfelt caption: "I am devastated to hear that my darling friend and work companion has past away. ORIBE is one of the great ‘original’ hairdressers whose iconic status grew alongside the supermodels of the 80’ and 90’. He was a brilliant hairdresser and simply adored by all."
Most recently, Oribe celebrated the 10th anniversary of the brand's Dry Texturizing Spray, the best-selling product that is currently sold once every minute around the world. “I’m so proud of the products we’ve created. I think we have changed the lives of hairdressers," he told Forbes. Clearly, he changed the lives of a lot more people than that.