Biography Resurrects Antoine de Paris, Polish Immigrant Who Became the 'Dalí of Hairdressing'

A new biography by Marta Orzeszyna, published by Flammarion, rescues Antoine de Paris (born Antoni Cierplikowski) from obscurity. The Polish immigrant, who arrived penniless in Paris around 1900, invented the iconic 'garçonne' bob haircut in 1909 for actress Ève Lavallière at the Théâtre des Variétés. He built a global hairdressing and cosmetics empire with his wife Marie-Berthe Astier, opening salons in Paris (rue Cambon, 1912), New York, Melbourne, and Tokyo. Known as the 'Dalí of hairdressing,' he created extravagant gold and silver wigs inspired by Old Masters, collaborated with photographers like Man Ray, and collected works by Picasso and Foujita. He befriended Jean Cocteau, Kees van Dongen, and Sarah Lipska, who designed his salons and glass house. After WWII, he styled stars including Édith Piaf and Brigitte Bardot. He died in 1976 in Sieradz, Poland, his birthplace. The biography also highlights an exhibition on Sarah Lipska at Musée Sainte-Croix in Poitiers (April 3–September 27, 2026).