A Legacy By Gary Latham

I’ve thought of many reasons not to write this article. There are many people who knew Dennis Langford better than I, and I could just leave it up to them. I am writing this now for one compelling reason - Respect.

Respect for Dennis and the life that he led and the contribution that he made to so many careers. I was fortunate to have some very good bosses in the early days of my working life, but what value can you put on a special mentor. Jayne and I have always tried to plant seeds of ambition, and support the growth of our staff. It is one of the most rewarding parts of owning a business to see the influence that you can have on someone’s life and or career.

Our rewards as highly valued as they are, have come from just two salons. Dennis’ sprouts were spread across a whole company. Dennis, so inspired by the Toni and Guy ethos that he inspired others, arguably beyond even the deeds of its founders, Mr Toni and Mr Guy, striking new ground and launching the franchise downunder.

What now seems like a world away, our paths first crossed in the early nineties when his hair was bouncy, and my stomach was flat. The Brian May look-a-like was in Australia to launch TIGI and give Aussies the inside info on Toni and Guy’s success at a business seminar at the Hyatt in Kings Cross. line snippets.

Stuck in my memory amongst others are these to “live-bys”

Communication is what you get back

and

To get what you want in life, you have to help others get what they want first.

On the second point he surely did. The Plethora of ex Toni and Guy stars that graced Hemisphere for his memorial, where substantial evidence of his great legacy. The father figure, Dennis, would give his all to his progeny until the time would arrive that they thought they had outgrown him. Break ups always hit Dennis hard. Good lovers make the best haters. Like Mickey Mouse in Fantasia the Sorcerers’ Apprentices would leave thinking they knew it all. The night of the memorial however there were many hairdressers who realised that while Dennis may have taught them everything THEY knew, he had not taught them everything HE knew.

So, what value can you put on great mentor?

Priceless.

May his legacy live on in Toni and Guy Australia and the Australian Hairdressing Community. He was a giver, a sharer. Fully aware of the power of a smile or a kind word.

Vale Dennis Langford