A WORLD-FAMOUS guitarist has performed at the party of Winchester's hairdresser to the stars.

Guy Kremer, 71, whose business is a landmark for the city's salon scene, opened the curtains on a new act of his career with the festivities at his headquarters in Parchment Street headlined by John Illsley, of multi-million selling band Dire Straits.

A crowd of more than 250 celebrities, clients and friends packed into his courtyard to hear Mr Kremer announce his semi-retirement from hairdressing.

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John Illsley (Image: Javaid Akhtar)

Famous faces in the throng included author Kathy Lette, fashion designer Maria Grachvogel, and British painter and curator David Remfry.

Guy announced that he would be handing the Guy Kremer name over to the salon’s senior team of Jonny Engstrom, Emily Huggett and Martin Roskilly, and plans to spend more time at his home in France, returning to tend to his personal clients every six weeks.

There were touching speeches from hotelier Robin Hutson and former Hairdresser’s Journal editor Maria Weijers – who each paid tribute to Guy’s glittering career, as well as his legendary kindness, loyalty, and sense of fun – before handing over to Dire Straits founder member and guitarist John Illsley, who played a fantastic set featuring all the band’s best-known songs.

“It was an amazing party,” said Guy. “Having the legendary John Illsley play for me and my friends in the salon courtyard was incredible. It was like a mini festival in the heart of Winchester.

“It was the best way to start the new act of my life, and I am so grateful to my wonderful team and friends and business across Winchester for helping to make this such a memorable event.”

Hampshire’s most famous hairdresser opened his modest French Connection salon in Winchester 50 years ago.

Over the decades, the flamboyant Frenchman has grown it into the international Guy Kremer business, opening new salons, launching hair products, and collecting a clientele that includes pop stars, princesses and A-listers.

He is known for snipping the locks of Ruby Wax, Maria Grachvogel, model Helena Christensen, Tess Daley, Daisy Lowe, Love Islander Faye Winter, Susan Sarandon, and Roger Waters – as well as being heavily involved in extensive charity work.

Guy has given his time to a generation of young apprentices, many of whom who have gone on to have glittering careers of their own. The Guy Kremer team are stalwarts of the hairdressing competition circuit, and have styled models at catwalks and fashion shows across the globe.  

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Guy is a member of L’Oreal Professionnel Portfolio, an exclusive group of top British hairdressers recognised for creativity and expertise in professional hairdressing. Nine years ago, he was awarded The Fellowship of British Hairdressing’s UK Hairdresser of the Year for the second time. 

He has been voted Southern Stylist of the Year, Hampshire Chronicle’s Hairdresser of the year, as well as scooping the L’Oreal Colour Trophy, and the Best Men’s Collection at the Association of International Professional Press Awards. 

These and many other awards secured Guy’s induction into the British Hairdressing Awards’ Hall of Fame.

But even at the age of 71 and nearing the end of his stellar career, Guy is adamant that there is still more to do – as well as returning to his Winchester salon for a month every six weeks, he is also working on relaunching his own line of Guy Kremer hair products next year.