In the annals of Indian beauty and grooming, few names shine as brightly as Ahmed Habib —a man who didn’t just cut hair but carved out a legacy. Born on October 2, 1940, in Jalalabad, Uttar Pradesh, Habib came from a lineage where scissors were symbols of trust and artistry. His father, Nazir Ahmed, styled British Viceroys and India’s first Presidents, and Habib inherited not just the tools of the trade but also a vision to elevate hairstyling from street corners to salons of prestige.
From Jalalabad to London, and Back with a Dream
Sent to London to study at the Morris School of Hair Design, Habib initially resisted. But in the heart of British hairstyling, he discovered that hair was not just fashion—it was identity, dignity, and power. He returned to India with a mission: to transform hairstyling into a respected profession. His tenure at the Oberoi Hotels in Delhi refined his craft, and in 1983, he launched Habib’s Hair & Beauty Salon at the Lodi Hotel, planting the seeds of a Hairdressing empire.
Stylist to Icons, Mentor to Generations
Habib’s artistry graced the heads of India’s most powerful figures. He maintained Indira Gandhi’s iconic two-toned hairstyle, a symbol of resilience and authority. He styled Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam’s flowing silver locks, a look etched into the nation’s memory. But his true genius lay in democratizing beauty—making premium grooming accessible to all and inspiring thousands to see hairstyling as a career of pride.
A Legacy That Lives On
Habib Ahmed didn’t just build salons—he built a movement. His sons, celebrity stylists Jawed, Parvez, and Amjad, and grandchildren-Aman and Zoya, continue his legacy, blending tradition with innovation across India and beyond. His academies trained generations of stylists, and his brand now spans over 1,000 salons globally.
Farewell to a Legend
Ahmed Habib passed away on September 25, 2025, at the age of 84. But his spirit lives on in every confident snip, every bold style, and every young hairstylist who dares to dream. He turned combs into conductors of change and salons into sanctuaries of self-expression.
To the man who gave India its most iconic looks and its most empowered stylists—thank you, Ahmed Habib. You didn’t just style hair. You styled history.
