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Andre Walker
Andre Walker
Andre Walker
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Andre Walker (born October 19, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois[1]) is a hairstylist from Chicago who developed the Andre Walker Hair Typing System and served as personal hairstylist to Oprah Winfrey from 1985 to 2015.[2] He created Halle Berry's signature short pixie haircut.[3] Walker's other celebrity clients include Barbara Bush, Rosanne Barr, and Michelle Obama.[4] Walker has won seven Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for his work on The Oprah Winfrey Show.[5][6]

Key Information

Early life and career

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Andre Walker is the son of Woodrow Walker Sr. and Fannie Mae Walker. He grew up in Chicago, and his mother and sister were his first hair clients.[7] He attended Lindbloom Technical High School and later enrolled at Pivot Point Beauty College. After graduating from the program, Walker began working as a hairstylist and opened his own salon in downtown Chicago. In 1986, Walker sent a letter and a dozen roses to Oprah Winfrey offering to style her hair. She accepted, and Walker styled her hair for three decades over a large variety of hairdos.[8][9][10]

Oprah Winfrey wrote in the introduction to the book Andre Talks Hair, that prior to meeting Walker she had a hairdresser who did not rinse a light perm completely, and that "my hair started to fall out in patches. Again. And once again, I shaved my head down to a little teeny weeny Afro. I was batting zero with hairdressers. Until I met Andre."[7]

For his work on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Walker won seven Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling in 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2003. He was nominated for this award a further seven times (in 1987, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2006).[11] He wrote the book Andre Talks Hair with Teresa Wiltz, published by Simon & Schuster in 1997. In 2008, Pivot Point International awarded Walker its inaugural L.E.O. Award, named for Pivot Point founder Leo Passage. Walker thanked Pivot Point for encouraging him to "do almost anything" in the field of hair design.[12] Walker received the Thurgood Marshall Fashion Icon Award in 2009.[13]

In the 1990s, he created the Andre Walker Hair Typing System to market his line of hair care products, which has since been widely adopted as a hair type classification system.[14] He stepped down as Oprah's hairstylist in 2015 to focus on his hair product business.[2]

Personal life

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Andre Walker has four sisters (Doris Thomas, Gwen Thomas, Pamela Walker, and Robbin Walker) and two brothers (Woodrow Walker Jr and Bernard Walker). He enjoys cooking and interior decorating.

References

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Andre Walker

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André Walker (born October 19, 1956) is an American hairstylist renowned for his three-decade tenure as Oprah Winfrey's personal stylist and for developing the influential André Walker Hair Typing System in the 1990s. Born in , , to Woodrow and Fanny Walker, he graduated from Lindblom Math and Science Academy in 1974 and earned a certificate from Pivot Point Academy in 1977. Early in his career, Walker worked at the salon in and founded his own salon, Andre Walker Salon, which operated from 1980 to 1987. In 1985, he joined and began styling Winfrey's hair for her television appearances, a partnership that lasted until 2015 and included creating her signature looks for , magazine covers, and high-profile events. Walker's expertise extended beyond Winfrey; he has styled prominent figures such as , , and , notably creating Berry's iconic . He authored the book André Talks Hair! in 1997, sharing professional advice on cuts, colors, curls, textures, and styles, and received multiple accolades, including seven for his work on Winfrey's show. In 1997, he introduced the Hair Typing System in his book to classify hair textures into four categories—straight (Type 1), wavy (Type 2), curly (Type 3), and kinky (Type 4)—with subcategories (a, b, c) to guide care and product selection, a framework that remains widely used in the beauty industry. In 2013, Walker co-founded Andre Walker Hair LLC with Dianne Hudson, launching The Gold System in 2015—a line of products tailored for textured , featuring ingredients like , , and . The company debuted a new collection on HSN in 2024, emphasizing inclusive care for diverse hair types. His contributions have earned further recognition, such as the L.E.O. Award in 2008, the Thurgood Marshall Fashion Icon Award in 2009, the Bronner Bros Industry Icon Award in 2016, and the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors' Tribute at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards.

Early life and education

Early life

Andre Walker was born on October 19, 1956, in , , to parents Woodrow Walker and Fanny Walker. He grew up on 's South Side, a predominantly African American community during the 1960s marked by the , economic challenges, and cultural vibrancy in neighborhoods like Roseland and Englewood. Walker attended Kohn Elementary School, located at 10414 S. State Street in the Roseland neighborhood, for his early education. He graduated from Lindblom Math and Science Academy, a high school in the Englewood community on the South Side, in 1974.

Education

Following his graduation from Lindblom Math and Science Academy in , , in 1974, Andre Walker pursued formal training in to build on his early interest in hair styling. Walker won a styling competition that secured him a to Pivot Point International, enabling his enrollment in the cosmetology certificate program at Pivot Point Beauty College (now Pivot Point Academy) in . He completed the program in 1977, gaining certification in cosmetology. The curriculum at Pivot Point Academy emphasized practical and theoretical skills essential for professional hairstyling, including hair cutting and design principles, styling techniques, chemical applications for coloring and texturizing, human anatomy and related to hair and scalp health, and salon and ethics. This comprehensive education provided Walker with the foundational knowledge in hair science and creative techniques that would underpin his subsequent innovations in the field. Upon completing his studies, Walker received mentorship from Chicago-based hairstylist Leigh Jones, who guided him in refining his technical abilities and transitioning into professional practice.

Professional career

Early career

Following his graduation from Pivot Point Academy in 1977 with a cosmetology certificate, Andre Walker entered the professional hairstyling field under the mentorship of established stylist Leigh Jones. Walker's first role was as a stylist at the department store salon on Michigan Avenue in , where he worked under the supervision of senior stylist Rudi Hooker. In this upscale retail setting, he refined his techniques on a diverse clientele, gaining practical experience in precision cutting, coloring, and styling amid the bustling environment of one of the city's premier beauty destinations during the late . By 1980, Walker had established his independent venture, opening the Andre Walker Salon in downtown , which he successfully operated until 1987. The salon quickly gained traction among Chicago's fashionable elite, allowing Walker to cultivate a dedicated local following through personalized services that emphasized innovative and tailored hair solutions. This period marked his growth as an entrepreneur in the city's evolving beauty sector, where he navigated the demands of salon management while experimenting with custom formulations to address client-specific hair needs, laying groundwork for future product innovations.

Work with Oprah Winfrey

Andre Walker first connected with in 1985, when he sent her a personal note offering to improve her hairstyle while she hosted the local program AM Chicago. This outreach led to his immediate hiring as her personal hairstylist, marking the beginning of a transformative professional partnership as Winfrey launched . Walker's tenure with Winfrey spanned from 1985 to 2015, encompassing over 30 years of dedicated service. During this period, he styled her hair for every episode of —which aired more than 4,500 times—and for all covers of O, The Oprah Magazine, ensuring consistency in her on-air and print appearances. His expertise in managing Winfrey's natural hair texture was central to their collaboration; he pioneered techniques such as damp braiding to enhance curl definition and strategic blow-drying to create polished, versatile looks that highlighted her features without compromising hair health. These methods allowed for signature styles ranging from elegant updos to soft waves, adapting to the show's evolving format and Winfrey's personal milestones. Walker's contributions to were recognized with seven for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling, awarded in 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2003. These honors underscored the impact of his precise, innovative approaches on one of television's most influential programs. In 2015, as Walker shifted focus to his own haircare business, Winfrey publicly celebrated their partnership in a tribute, remarking that it had endured longer than her relationship with and praising the absence of any conflicts during their three decades together. She credited him with preserving her hair's integrity amid constant styling demands, calling him instrumental to her iconic image.

Other clients and contributions

Beyond his long-term association with , Andre Walker has styled hair for numerous high-profile clients, showcasing his versatility across diverse hair types and public figures. In the early 1990s, he created the signature short haircut for actress , a cropped style that became her enduring look and influenced trends among seeking bold, low-maintenance options. Walker has also worked with former First Ladies Barbara Bush and Michelle Obama, crafting polished appearances that aligned with their public roles and emphasized natural texture management. Additionally, he styled comedian Roseanne Barr's textured pixie haircut in 2024, updating her look with modern layering to highlight volume and movement. In television and media, Walker has extended his influence through non-Oprah projects, including product launch appearances on the Network (), where he demonstrated styling techniques and promoted his hair care lines to a broad audience starting in 2010. These segments focused on practical advice for everyday hair maintenance, drawing from his expertise in texture and . Walker further contributed to the field by authoring Andre Talks Hair in 1997, published by Simon & Schuster, a guide offering comprehensive styling techniques, including how to select cuts, colors, curls, and textures suited to all ethnicities and ages, with an emphasis on enhancing natural features.

Development of the Hair Typing System

In the 1990s, Andre Walker developed the Hair Typing System as a framework to address the diverse needs of hair textures, particularly for his hair care product line targeting varied curl patterns. Created during his time as a celebrity stylist, the system was first introduced on The Oprah Winfrey Show to demonstrate how consumers could match products to their specific hair characteristics. This classification aimed to simplify hair care by categorizing natural hair based on observable traits, drawing from Walker's professional experience with clients across ethnic backgrounds. The system organizes hair into four primary types—1 (straight), 2 (wavy), 3 (curly), and 4 (kinky-coily)—with subtypes labeled A, B, and C within each category to denote variations in curl tightness, pattern, and texture. Type 1 hair lies flat without curl, ranging from fine and thin (1A) to coarse and straight (1C). Type 2 features loose to defined waves, such as subtle S-shapes (2A) progressing to springy, loose curls (2C). Type 3 includes ringlet-like curls, from large and loose (3A) to dense, corkscrew patterns (3C). Type 4 represents tightly coiled or kinky textures, with subtypes from soft, patterned coils (4A) to tight, zigzag kinks (4B and 4C) that may shrink significantly when wet. While primarily focused on curl pattern, the subtypes also consider factors like strand thickness and, to a lesser extent, porosity, which affects moisture retention. The primary purpose of the Hair Typing System is to empower individuals to identify their hair's unique needs, enabling more effective product selection, styling techniques, and maintenance routines tailored to prevent issues like dryness or breakage in textured hair. By providing a visual and descriptive guide, it sought to democratize professional hair knowledge, helping users avoid one-size-fits-all approaches that often fail diverse textures. Over time, the system has evolved amid growing awareness of inclusivity, particularly within the natural movement of the and , where communities expanded it to incorporate additional factors like and elasticity for better representation of and multicultural hair. However, it has faced significant criticisms for implying a that privileges straighter, looser textures (e.g., Type 1 or 2A) over coily or kinky ones (Type 4), perpetuating texturism and Eurocentric beauty standards rooted in historical racial categorizations. Advocates in the natural hair space have called for its revision or abandonment, arguing it oversimplifies hair diversity and can foster insecurity among those with tighter curls. Despite these critiques, the Hair Typing System remains widely adopted in the beauty industry as a foundational tool for education and product marketing, influencing brands, salons, and tutorials globally. Its cultural resonance is evident in media discussions, such as the 2018 99% Invisible podcast episode "The Hair Chart," which explored its origins, applications, and controversies in shaping perceptions of natural hair. Academic and industry references continue to cite it as the gold standard for curl pattern classification, underscoring its enduring impact on hair science and consumer practices.

Business ventures and innovations

Andre Walker Hair product line

Andre Walker co-founded Andre Walker Hair LLC in 2013 with Dianne Hudson, marking his entry into the commercial industry. The company launched its flagship product line, The Gold System, in 2015, specifically designed for textured types aligned with the Hair Typing System. This collection emphasized simplified care routines for coarse, kinky, curly, and dry , incorporating nourishing formulations to hydrate and manage natural textures without harsh chemicals. Initial retail expansion came through a partnership with Target in 2015, where The Gold System debuted with core items like , conditioner, and styling treatments tailored for curly, coily, and . The products drew from Walker's decades of professional experience, focusing on ingredients that promote retention and texture definition for diverse needs. In December 2024, Walker debuted an updated iteration of the line on the , airing on December 16 at 8 p.m. EST and December 17 at 11 a.m. EST. This launch featured science-informed products infused with , , and , developed to address the specific challenges of textured hair after extensive formulation refinement. As of 2025, Andre Walker Hair LLC has ceased operations, with the official website announcing closure and the trademark status listed as cancelled.

Awards and honors

Andre Walker's contributions to hairstyling, particularly during his tenure as lead stylist on , earned him seven for Outstanding Hairstyling in 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2003, along with seven additional nominations, totaling 14 Emmy recognitions over his career. In 2008, during a phase focused on and in the industry, Walker received the inaugural L.E.O. Award from Pivot Point International, honoring lifetime achievement among professionals influenced by founder Leo Passage and recognizing Walker's leadership, excellence in design , and status as an outstanding alumnus. The following year, Walker was awarded the Thurgood Marshall Fashion Icon Award by the , acknowledging his influence as a trailblazer in and styling. In 2016, as he expanded his impact through product innovation and industry leadership, Walker received the Bronner Bros. Industry Icon Award, celebrating his enduring role in advancing beauty standards and professional practices. Walker's development of the Hair Typing System in the 1990s has garnered ongoing recognition in industry media for revolutionizing textured hair care by providing a standardized classification that promotes tailored styling and product use for diverse curl patterns. This innovation's lasting influence was further highlighted in 2025 when he received the CFDA Isabel Toledo Board of Directors' Tribute for his avant-garde contributions to hair design and textured hair solutions.

References

  1. https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/andre-walker
  2. https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/oprahs-hair-stylist
  3. https://www.byrdie.com/hair-typing-system-history-5205750
  4. https://www.amazon.com/Andre-Talks-Hair-Walker/dp/0684824566
  5. https://www.blackbeautyandhair.com/meet-the-original-texture-man-andre-walker/
  6. https://www.essence.com/news/oprahs-hairstylist-debuts-hair-care-line/
  7. https://cfda.com/news/andre-walker-before-becoming-beyond/
  8. https://www.publicschoolreview.com/kohn-elementary-school-profile
  9. https://corporate.hsn.com/newsroom/pressrelease/celebrity-stylist-andre-walker-launched-on-hsn-to-great-success/
  10. https://www.pivotpoint.edu/education/cosmetology/
  11. https://www.pivot-point.com/success-stories/
  12. https://www.people.com/style/oprah-winfreys-hair-guru-andre-walker-tells-all-including-what-shell-never-do/
  13. https://people.com/style/oprah-winfreys-hair-guru-andre-walker-tells-all-including-what-shell-never-do/
  14. https://atlantadailyworld.com/2015/09/21/oprahs-longtime-hairstylist-andre-walker-moving-on/
  15. https://www.oprah.com/fashion_and_beauty/oprahs-favorite-cover-looks-from-the-past-15-years/all
  16. https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/23/luxury/oprah-winfrey-andre-walker-power-hair
  17. https://en.newsner.com/family/at-71-roseanne-barr-debuts-new-pixie-haircut-sparking-a-stir-among-fans/
  18. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celebrity-stylist-andre-walker-launched-on-hsn-to-great-success-112095399.html
  19. https://archive.org/details/andretalkshair00walk
  20. https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-hair-chart/
  21. https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-hair-chart/transcript/
  22. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/how-to-determine-your-hair-type-a1100966817/
  23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328799161_Towards_Creation_of_a_Curl_Pattern_Recognition_System
  24. https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/andre-walker-multiethnic-hair-care-target-10201337/
  25. https://cew.org/beauty_news/andre-walker-launches-hair-care-line-at-target/
  26. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2015/10/96494/andre-walker-oprah-hairstylist-product-line
  27. https://andrewalkerhair.com/
  28. https://www.trademarkia.com/andre-walker-hair-85368443
  29. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2030662/awards/
  30. https://www.essence.com/news/our-celeb-hairstylist-panel-weighs-black-women-hollywood-looks/
  31. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/archive-andre-walker-2025-cfda-honoree-avant-garde-pioneer-1238332400/
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