photo by steed media service

Lillian Howard’s flair for hair has taken her to some of the world’s most exciting coiffure capitals. It started in her dormitory room at Johnson C. Smith University where she played miracle worker for coeds in need of a affordable hair care. Howard’s major was in education, but she soon realized that she had other talents that could not be ignored.

“I always had a strong interest in hair and fashion. How I made my extra money in college was doing hair from my dorm. So I knew after this, that I should do hair and not become a teacher right away. I went off to London to [the] Sassoon Academy. I spent a year and eight months there,” says Howard.

Howard then became involved in every element of hair; cutting, styling, and even teaching. With her expertise in high demand, she decided to open her own salon in her hometown of Chicago. Her salon, Lillian Dion is a macrocosm of all things hair, with special attention to hair restoration due to breakage and loss.

“I came back here (to Chicago) and worked for Sassoon in the Water Tower. Then I got picked up by a company called BIA out of California. What I did for them was teach [hair] cutting and coloring at trade shows and at their [headquarters]. My clients in Chicago could not find anyone they were pleased with [to do their hair]. So I ended up flying back and forth ... it was then [that] I decided to start my business. –adrienne gadling

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