Born in Cuba in 1956, Oribe immigrated to the United States as a child.
Born in Cuba in 1956, Oribe immigrated to the United States as a child. At 18, he attended beauty school in Buffalo, NY, where he met the soon-to-be-legendary hairstylist Garren, who encouraged him to pursue his passion for hairdressing. In the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Oribe began a partnership with photographer Steven Meisel and makeup artist François Nars that would re-define beauty in that era. Oribe formed a career-defining relationship with Gianni Versace in the early ’90s, which led to countless creative collaborations, including iconic print ads and commercials as well as groundbreaking runway shows. During that time, he was also known for his palatial Fifth Avenue salon at Elizabeth Arden in New York City.
It wasn’t until the late ‘90s that Oribe became a household name thanks to his alliance with aspiring musician Jennifer Lopez, who reached out to him having spent her teens admiring his work in Vogue. Beginning with the cover of her first album, On the 6, they collaborated for nearly two decades.
In 2008, Oribe began working with Oribe Hair Care president and co-founder Daniel Kaner to translate his love of hairdressing and individual beauty into the collection of products he’d always envisioned: A range grounded in traditional hairstyling and blended with leading technology and the finest ingredients. The result was an edited line focused on the needs of the hair-obsessed.
“I’ve been a hairdresser for most of my life. Hairdressing is what I do, it’s what I love.”
1980s —
Oribe begins his editorial career, styling hair for the cover of the most prominent fashion magazines.
“Oribe Canales was one of the first stylists to create a hairstyle that would make you say, ‘Oh, THAT’S Oribe hair!,’ whether it was on the covers of magazines, the red carpet or in beauty campaigns.”
“If hairdressers were rock stars, Oribe would have been the biggest rock star of them all! I started working with Oribe in the late 80s and early 90s, at the beginning of both of our careers. We worked together several times a week on shoots from Vogue to Versace.”
1990s —
Oribe is connected to Gianni Versace.
1992 —
Created hair looks for the reopening of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The busts, based on Christy Turlington, featured hair crafted from raffia and papier mâché.
“If I’m still doing hair in 10 years, I still want to be learning. I never want to get to the point where I know it all, because then it will be boring.”
1995 —
Launches his first product line,
Launches his first product line, which includes a tin of pomade in retro-chic packaging bearing his image as a 1950s-style muscle man. His friend Karl Lagerfeld suggested that he design the bottles to look like dishwashing detergent. Opens Miami salon on Euclid Road in Miami Beach.
1996 —
Begins to work with Jennifer Lopez, beginning with the cover for her first album, On the 6.
1997-2000 —
Styles 36 consecutive covers with photographer Gilles Bensimon for Elle US.
“Oribe was bold in his authentic approach that was purely coming from his gut, and he was instrumental in formulating and forging the path forward for others to follow. Oribe and Omar Ismail had the vision and understanding that hair and makeup artists needed to be elevated and represented properly for their contribution and artistry to the business. They created an agency that launched many of the careers of the most sought-after hair and makeup artists of that time.”
Judy Erickson, Oribe Canales’ Longtime Assistant
“Oribe created a fantasy world for his clients and styled some of the most recognizable and dramatic hairstyles in fashion history. He was also incredibly handsome and loved by many.”
2011 —
Receives the Visionnaire award at Intercoiffure from his client, Sarah Jessica Parker.
2018 —
Oribe Canales passes away in Miami.