A high society hairdresser’s luxury gifts from grateful members of royalty – and a film star – are coming up for auction.
Hugh Green’s talent and discretion put him a cut above the rest in London after he opened his Belgravia salon in the 1970s.Important clients, royal tours and expensive presents from well-known faces became the norm.
And some of those luxury items given to him by VIP customers – including Prince Charles and actress Joan Collins – are expected to spark major interest at auction on Saturday, May 29.
Hugh, who originates from Portsmouth, has been working as a hairdresser for more than 50 years – and he is still working. He started cutting his mother’s and aunts’ hair when he was 10, moved to London at 19 and within a year emerged as a top stylist. He opened a salon in Ebury Street in 1976 and consolidated his reputation for special occasion and wedding hair.
One of his most famous clients who became a friend was Joan Collins. Among glamorous lots coming up for auction at Hansons London is a Tiffany silver champagne stopper engraved ‘with love Joan’. It is connected to her time starring as Alexis in TV series Dynasty. Such was her regard for Hugh, she invited him to the South of France. The Tiffany stopper, lot 176, has an estimate of £100-£200.
His impressive client list also included Queen Noor of Jordan and members of the British Royal family such as the HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. He dressed her hair for her engagement celebrations. Prince Charles gave Hugh a sterling silver money clip featuring the Prince of Wales Feather, lot 170, estimate £100-£200.
More gifts from royalty include a Cartier silver cufflink set in original case – a gift from Princess Michael of Kent. It’s being sold together with a Halcyon Days box depicting Nether Lypiatt Manor. The Grade I listed neo-classical manor house in Thrupp, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, was formerly the country home of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. The estimate for both items, lot 106, is £150-£200.
In addition, King Hussein of Jordan presented the stylist with two silver paper knives, lot 102, estimate £50-£100, and a Du Pont lighter watch and pen set, lot 171, £150-£250. The auction also includes various Halcyon Days boxes, most gifted by King Hussein, and Bilston boxes,lot 257, estimate £200-£400.
Jillie Green, Hugh’s wife, from London, said: “Hugh’s outstanding career was not just based on his talent but for his regard for discretion at all times.
“His reputation grew in London at a time when life was so much more glamorous. Balls and dances were held regularly and royal state visits were always on the calendar. As well as his own royal and high society clientele, he was often called upon to look after visiting royalty from all over the world.
“In 1976 he opened his salon in Ebury Street, London, and soon after Anna Harvey, then deputy editor of Vogue, asked Hugh to do a photoshoot for the magazine to announce the engagement of Prince Michael of Kent to Countess Marie Christine von Reibnitz.
“He consequently went to Vienna for the wedding in 1978 and looked after Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra as well as the bride, now Princess Michael of Kent. Princess Alexandra and Hugh have remained in touch and he has travelled extensively with her to Hong Kong and Bangkok and on royal tours of Canada, Australia and Japan on royal yacht Britannia. He also went to Amman, Jordan, to attend to the hair of Queen Noor during the reign of King Hussein.
“He was introduced to Camilla Parker Bowles before her engagement to Prince Charles and subsequently dressed her hair for their engagement, civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall and a blessing at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He has travelled extensively with them on royal tours ever since.”
Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons, said: “It’s a privilege to manage the sale of items with such rich provenance and to shine the spotlight on Hugh’s impressive career.”
Items in the Hugh Green collection will be sold on Saturday, May 29 at Hansons London. Teddington. To find out more email [email protected]. View the catalogue at www.hansonslive.co.uk.
