Vernon's Biography
British-born Los Angeles-based talent Vernon François is one of the world’s most sought-after hair stylists, brand founder, industry-leading artist and educator on the Ulta Beauty Pro Team.
Obsessed with hair since childhood Vernon works with all hair textures ~ kinky, coily, curly, wavy and straight ~ championing the versatility of Afro and curly hair. As well as creating some of the most talked about A-list hairstyles Vernon helps individuals the world over to erase any fear of managing their hair at home through embracing its shape, volume and personality.
Vernon’s brand, VERNON FRANÇOIS® Haircare, is vegan, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free, and is simple to navigate with colour coding and visual icons he created thanks to his dyslexia.
François’ clients include Lupita Nyong'o, Solange Knowles, Serena Williams, Iman, Willow Smith, Natasha Lyonne, Amandla Stenberg, Danai Gurira, Ava DuVernay, Jessica Simpson, Halle Bailey, Kerry Washington, Kailand Morris, Angela Bassett, Susan Kelechi Watson, DeWanda Wise, Lauren Ridloff, Janelle Monae, Jessica Williams, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Lil Naz X, Chloe Bailey, and many more.
Vernon François is the winner of a Hollywood Beauty Award for Hairstyling, and The Hollywood Reporter named Vernon one of Hollywood’s most influential hairstylists four years running. His work with Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o featured in the Top 25 Beauty Moments of the Year, Serena Williams’ Vanity Fair cover grabbed global attention, and François was Refinery29’s Beauty Innovator of the Year finalist. InStyle magazine credited Vernon as a beauty founder changing the industry, his brand won Most Inclusive Hair Brand at Yahoo! Lifestyle’s Diversity in Beauty Awards, and Vernon is in Ulta Beauty Muse 100. Vernon judges Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards, and North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). Additionally, NAHA appointed Vernon to their advisory committee to help shape and lead the direction of the awards.
Raised in Rastafarian household, Vernon taught himself to braid, loc and twist hair at just eight years old. At age 14 he worked at a salon on London’s Oxford Street, won Newcomer of the Year at Black Beauty Hair Awards at age 16, Black Hair Junior Stylist of the Year at 19, and featured in the list of Top 20 Influential Black People Under 40.
Vernon’s on-camera broadcast appearances for hair education and showcasing of his own product line include Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, ABC News and The Today Show, plus regular demonstrations on HSN. Vernon’s work graces the pages of VOGUE, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Allure, Glamour, V, i-D, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Essence and more. His presence is highly visible at red carpet events including The Academy Awards, Met Gala, SAG Awards, Golden Globes and Hollywood film premieres.
Campaigns that Vernon has styled hair for include Lancôme, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Calvin Klein, Good American, Nike, Beats, Redken and Kérastase and many more. He has worked alongside iconic photographers Mario Testino, Mert & Marcus, Victor Demarchelier, Alexi Lubomirski, Peter Lindbergh, Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel, Paola Kudacki, Nico Bustos, Craig McDean, Greg Kadel, Inez and Vinoodh and many more.