Oribe Canales, Industry Icon & Co-Founder Of Oribe Hair Care, Has Passed Away

Industry legend Oribe Canales has passed away at the age of 62. Known for iconic runway looks and extensive editorial collaborations, Oribe co-founded Oribe Hair Care.

Born in Jaruco, Cuba in 1956, Oribe worked with Garren in New York City and soon received his first editorial credit in GQ. A partnership with famed photographer Steven Meisel in the late ’80s and and working with Gianni Versace in the early ’90s catapulted him to star status. He also founded the Oribe Agency during this time, which represented names such as Laura Mercier, Nars, Kevin Mancuso, Bobbi Brown, Serge Normant, Danilo and Jimmy Paul. Oribe opened his Fifth Avenue salon at Elizabeth Arden in New York City in 1991.

Jennifer Lopez requested Oribe by name after growing up reading his name in fashion magazines. He created the look for the cover of J.Lo’s first album, “On the 6,” by lightening her hair and pulling it tightly over a wig into a long ponytail. Oribe created the J.Lo persona with the legendary artist, and he had full license to use his editorial sensibility.

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I can’t believe I’m actually saying goodbye to this amazing man💔I love you Oribe RIP ❤️🙏🏻❤️

A post shared by Sally Hershberger (@sallyhershberger) on Dec 17, 2018 at 8:45am PST

Throughout the 2000s, Oribe continued to collaborate with well-known editorial photographers such as Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott on shoots like the W Magazine 2003 shoot of Kate Moss as Marilyn Monroe. He’s worked on countless covers of Vogue, red carpet hair for A-list celebs and ad campaigns and runway shows for iconic fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

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I feel so sad to hear that Oribe passed away yesterday. Christopher and I used to work at Elizabeth Arden Red Door in Manhattan for a few years which was below his studio. There were so many times we shared the same elevator ( lift). Years later whenever we saw him he would be so gracious seeing us at hair events and always the time to chat. He will be so so missed and my condolences go out to his family .🙏❤️😘😢 Yet another reminder that life can be taken away from you at any given moment…. time to reflect . Are you living life to its fullest. As I sit on my flight to New York to go to my last gig of 2018 to be with my Ulta family, all I can do on this flight is to be thankful and grateful as not a day goes by without me feeling SO blessed . I have met so many great people that have contributed to who I am today, no words can express my deep gratitude for them . RIP Oribe 💔💔💔🙏🙏

A post shared by Sonya Dove (@sonyadove) on Dec 17, 2018 at 9:37am PST

In 2008, Oribe launched Oribe Hair Care—a collection of high-end and high-performance products made with innovative technology and luxurious ingredients.

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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 along side the supermodels of the 80’ and 90’. He was a brilliant hairdresser and simply adored by all. I so looked forward to the days that I would be with him and the teams we had around us. He went on to create the great hair brand, ORIBE that everyone uses and is loved by all. Here we are in the nineties, holding each other close. He always had his arms around someone or dancing on set. No one made me feel more loved, and no one made me laugh so much. I love you. I am so sad you are gone our beautiful Oribe. The world of fashion and beauty has lost a great soul, and we will mourn that you have left us all behind while you have gone straight to heaven. RIP ORIBE 💔🖤💔 and my love and sympathy to his family @oribecanales #orbe #oribecanales #marygreenwell #mymgmakeup

A post shared by Mary Greenwell (@marygreenwell) on Dec 17, 2018 at 4:33am PST