On Friday, December 23, 2022, popular hairdresser and entrepreneur Nick Chavez died at the age of 66 in his Beverly Hills home. His family acknowledged his death in a heartfelt letter that read:
“It is with great regret that we announce the death of our dear brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Nick Chavez, today at his Beverly Hills home after a long and valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.”
Nick, who is originally from Arizona, started his profession as a hairstylist in Southern California, where he worked under a notable hairdresser who catered to many celebrities and high-profile persons. He founded his own salon in Beverly Hills after working as a model and actor. Nick also has a hair care brand called Nick Chavez Beverly Hills.
Nick Chavez has been on the covers of several publications, including Vogue, GQ, Elle, and Esquire.
Born in Yuma, Arizona in 1956, the stylist has always been enthusiastic about beauty, haircare, and spiritual life. His family is Mexican-American, including Yaqui and Quechan Indian ancestors. Nick, the second oldest of seven siblings, often assisted his family on their ranch. According to his official website, Nick Chavez also learned “holistic healing techniques from his Yaqui Grandmother.”
Nick’s frequent grooming of the family horses spurred an interest in his natural abilities with a scissor, and he soon began creating “cool and fashionable” haircuts for his siblings and extended relatives. He relocated to Southern California as a young adult in 1977 and started his apprenticeship in a prestigious Beverly Hills salon, quickly graduating as full-fledged hairdresser. His abilities immediately gained him notice, and he now has a large clientele and an even larger reputation. The hairdresser put his profession on hold in his late twenties to work as a model and actor. During his European tour, he posed for Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves St. Laurent, and Valentino.
Nick’s photo sessions were a success, with several of them appearing on the covers of publications such as Vogue, GQ, Elle, and Esquire, as well as on a 100-foot billboard in Times Square. He has worked on various television series, including The Young and the Restless, Hollywood Detectives, and countless TV advertisements. When Nick returned to Beverly Hills in 1997, he built his eponymous salon, which was an instant success. Margeaux Hemmingway, Lisa Hartmann, and Belinda Carlisle were among his clients.
In 1999, after struggling to find the right products for his consumers, Nick created his own brand of haircare products called “Nick Chavez Beverly Hills.” His objective was to attain the “Every Day Gorgeous” appearance by having gorgeous, healthy hair. The items are available both online and on home shopping channels such as QVC in the United States and overseas. Nick’s incredible “hair and makeover changes” landed him frequent spots on discussion programs including E! Fashion Emergency and Extreme Makeovers. Nick was diagnosed with stage two pancreatic cancer in March 2020. In April, he started chemotherapy. On his website, he recorded his hair throughout chemotherapy and its return. He said, ”
“I’ve always felt that life isn’t supposed to be spent in suffering. What makes a difference is how we deal with suffering. “The best treatment is self-love.”
Robby LaRiviere, Nick Chavez’s protégé and on-air and media partner, will carry on the brand alongside his sister, Sandra. Both have been active contributors to the brand’s product development and innovation.