Mario's hairdresser

It was in 1952 that the first unisex hair stylist in the city was introduced by Hugo De Luca (1920-1998).  Known as Mario, he was a pioneering hairdresser who set up his business in Bradford in the precincts of Foster Square station.  

He brought a vision to Bradford and his hairdryer was a revolutionary styling tool. It was Mario who would introduce the ‘blow dry’ as not many people knew how to use their hair dryer in styling.  Later the business moved to the Wool Exchange where his brothers, who were also hairdressers, joined him from his hometown of Naples. His wife, Mary (1925-2011), who had met Mario when he came to Brighouse as a prisoner of war, was also part of the business.  It was the advent of  rock n' roll and the new hairstyles  that Mario's became the favourite place for the ‘Tony Curtis’ and 'D.A' styles for teenagers.  

It was a little more than the usual 1/6p for short back and sides, but well worth the extra shillings to have your hair washed and styled at Mario’s.  A must for the rock n’ rollers of the time. 

Mario passed away in 1998 aged 78, his legacy remains and business still thrives carrying on into the 21st Century.