When it comes to era-defining haircuts, there is one memorable crop that changed the face of royal beauty beyond compare. Hairstyling veteran Sam McKnight, and founder of his own eponymous haircare brand, was responsible for Princess Diana's radically shorter style that she debuted in 1990, and now he is accepting an MBE for "services to the Fashion and Beauty industries".
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In a post shared on his personal Instagram account with his 213k followers, Sam revealed that he is "delighted to accept" an appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, according to the King's New Year's Honours list.
Sam McKnight backstage at Blumarine's Milan fall/winter 2018/19 show
The 67-year-old first met the princess on a photoshoot for Vogue more than three decades ago and recalled the moment during an interview with the fashion publication back in 2020, saying a "very tall, leggy blonde [came] bounding into the studio, and we just fell in love with her".
Princess Diana asked Sam directly what he would do if he had free rein over her hair and the hairstylist suggested that she should shake things up, recommending she opt for a much more pared back approach.
Princess Diana sporting a shorter style at the 41st annual United Cerebral Palsy Awards benefit gala in 1995
"At the end of the shoot she asked me what I’d do to her hair if I could do anything I wanted, and I said, ‘Well, I’d just cut it all off and start again,’ because it was 1990," he told Vogue.
"There was a sharpening up of those really maximalist silhouettes from the ’80s coming, and a much leaner, almost androgynous power dressing had appeared on the scene. I said, ‘Cut it off, get rid of the 80s frou-frou and start again with a minimal, short haircut.’ Which is what we did."
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Princess Diana's striking new look, alongside Sam's high profile editorial work, turned him into a much-revered industry icon, and he even worked as her personal hairstylist for seven years until her death in 1997.
As far as MBEs go, we can’t think of anyone more deserving. After all, Princess Diana’s 90s crop lives in our mind rent free. Perhaps a 2023 hair refresh is in order…
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