Didier Malige (née Christian Malige; September 5, 1948) is a French hairstylist. Raised in Paris, France, Malige has been called a hair visionary by the New York Times and other commentators.
Biography
Malige’s career began in the mid 1960’s when, as a teenager, he joined Carita Paris’s premier salon as an apprentice. After three years of working alongside the craftsmen of the era, he went on to work at the salon of former Carita stylist, Jean Louis David. Trying to bring more attention to his salon and recognizing the new demand for hairdressers for editorial commissions, Jean Louis David created a little group of young hairdressers for magazine work, which Malige became a part of. It was during this time in Paris where Malige worked with photographers Helmut Newton, who he credits for his first big break on a French Vogue assignment, Bob Richardson, and Guy Bourdin. In the 1970’s Malige set off to launch his career in New York. In the 1970's Malige set off to launch his career in New York where he first worked with Bruce Webber for Seventeen Magazine, Mademoiselle & GQ.
Over the decades Malige has become known for his collaborations with photographers including, Patrick Demarchelier, Arthur Elgort, Hans Feurer, Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, Craig McDean, Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, Inez van Lamsweerde &Vinoodh Matadin, David Sims, and Terry Richardson. His ability to not only style, but flawlessly sculpt both men’s and women’s hair has led him to develop long-standing relationships with the houses of Dior, Dior Homme, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, Raf Simons, Hedi Slimane, and Ralph Lauren. Some of the fashion brands who have worked with Malige for their runway presentations and advertising campaigns include Proenza Schouler, Giorgio Armani, Dior Homme, Prabal Gurung, Philosophy, Band of Outsiders, Rachel Zoe, Prada, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Ermenegildo Zegna, Giorgio Armani and Net -a- Porter. Malige’s work has appeared in fashion magazines including American, English & Italian Vogue, W Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, Vanity Fair, Self Service, i-D, and Interview (Magazine).
In the late 1990’s, Frédéric Fekkai called Malige from his salon at Bergdorf Goodman saying he would like Malige to teach some of his people what he knows. This relationship with the Fekkai Brand has spanned for over two-decades.
Personal
Malige has been living with his partner, Grace Coddington (Creative Director of US Vogue) and their collection of cats for over 25 years. In 2006 they released a book ‘The Catwalk Cats’ in which Malige had taken photographs of his home life and their cats whilst Coddington wrote and illustrated how she perceived the cats personalities to be.
Didier Malige is an undisputed master of his craft and especially enjoys collaborating with photographers and editors who allow him the freedom to realize his vision. Malige believes that the biggest compliment he has received is learning that someone became a hairstylist because they were inspired by his work.
Didier Malige is currently represented by Art Partner.
UK Vogue April 2012
"When You Think Young the World Belongs to You"
Models: Moa Aberg, Tom Heukels & Trey Mourning
Photographer: Bruce Weber
Stylist: Joe McKenna
Hair: Didier Malige
Makeup: Aaron de Mey
Set Design: Dimitri Levas
"Dreamweavers"
Model: Stella Tennant
Photographer: Daniel Jackson
Stylist: Tiina Laakkonen
Hair: Didier Malige
Makeup: Francelle Daly
Manicure: Rica Romain
Set Design: Peter Klein
Vogue China January 2012
"Fifties Addiction"
Model: Kasia Struss
Photographer: Danko Steiner
Stylist: Ana Steiner
Hair: Didier Maligé
Makeup: Rose Marie Swift
Manicure: Rica Romain
Vogue Japan March 2012
"Ecstasy of the Moment"
Model: Anja Rubik
Photographer: Hedi Slimane
Stylist: Mika Mizutani
Hair: Didier Malige
Make-up: Gucci Westman
Vogue China March 2012
"Take the Lead"
Models: Fei Fei Sun & Liu Wen
Photographer: Hedi Slimane
Stylist: Mika Mizutani
Hair: Didier Malige
Makeup: Rose Marie Swift
Manicure: Tatyana Molot
Vogue Paris April 2012
"Femme Fatale"
Model: Kristina Salinovic
Photographer: Glen Luchford
Stylist: Marie Chaix
Hair: Didier Malige
Makeup: Lisa Houghton
Manicure: Teddy Clemens
Vogue US August 2012
"The Great Escape"
Model: Tatjana Patitz
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Fashion Editor: Grace Coddington
Hair: Didier Malige
Make-Up: Stephane Marais
Vogue UK August 2012
"Best In Show"
Models: Andie Arthur, Elena Bartels, Mackenzie Drazen, Cora Emmanuel, Madison Headrick, Laura Kampman, Kolfinna Kristofersdottir, Kathryn Kruger, Magda Laguinge, Marie Piovesan, Melissa Stasiuk & Xiao Wen
Photographer: Daniel Jackson
Stylist: Francesca Burns
Hair: Didier Malige
Make-Up: Yadim
Manicure: Rica Romain
Set-Design: Max Bellhouse