Jawed Habib.

Standing (L–R): Parvez Habib, Jawed Habib, Amjad Habib · Sitting (L–R): Maqbool Ahmed, Nazir Ahmed, Habib Ahmed

In the 1920s, Nazir Ahmed was the head barber at Viceroy House — today's Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official Presidential Palace in New Delhi. His chair seated some of the most important people of the era: Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British-ruled India; Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India; and Drs. Rajendra Prasad, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Zakir Hussain — the first three Presidents of the Republic.

Habib Ahmed, Nazir Ahmed's eldest son, stepped into his father's shoes. He became a favourite of Mr. Nehru and his daughter — the third (and only female) Prime Minister of India — Indira Gandhi. With her support, he travelled to London to study Cosmetology, becoming one of the first Indians to be internationally certified.

Habib Ahmed after he returned from London

The Lodhi Hotel salon, inaugurated by Mr. Rajesh Khanna · 1983

Habib's first salon opened inside the prestigious Lodhi Hotel, New Delhi, in 1983. It became an instant choice for modern India — the Oberois of the global hotel chain, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (11th President of India) and Maharani Gayatri Devi of the royal family of Jaipur all sat in its chairs.

With Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam at the Presidential Palace, New Delhi

Jawed Habib graduating from Morris School of Hairdressing · 1987

After studying Cosmetology in London, Jawed Habib returned to India and started a hair revolution. One of the first professionals to conduct educational seminars in the country, he today trains more than 10,000 students every year — through seminars, masterclasses and a network of more than 60 academies.

His contribution was recognised by the Government of India when he was appointed a key personality in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Skill India Mission — training thousands of students and placing them into livelihoods.

Skill India signing ceremony with then CM of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Akhilesh Yadav

Seminar at Professional Beauty — India's largest wellness show, Mumbai

Seminar with Wella — one of the world's largest professional cosmetic houses

Masterclass at the Jawed Habib Academy

Jawed Habib became the brand ambassador for Sunsilk, owned by Unilever — appearing in campaigns and joining the product development team. In 2011, he launched Panasonic's range of styling tools alongside Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez — a bestseller in the country.

Ad campaign for Sunsilk

At the P&G head office, Surrey, England

Alongside the international houses, Jawed Habib has championed Indian brands — Brillaire, the science-based product range from Gujarat; Godrej, one of India's largest conglomerates; and CRY, the NGO safeguarding child rights.

Ad shoot for Brillaire

Raising awareness and funds for CRY — for the welfare of thousands of children

Opening of a new Jawed Habib salon

Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty Ltd. is one of the fastest-growing salon franchise companies in the world. Incorporated in 2006, it operates across all 29 states and 8 union territories of India — more than 900 salons and 60 academies across 135+ cities. The group services over 200,000 clients every month and trains more than 10,000 students every year in hairdressing, beauty, makeup and salon management.

The footprint is international too — salons in Dubai, Singapore, Kenya, Bangladesh and Nepal, with continued expansion into the UAE, Australia, Africa and Eastern Europe.

The Jawed Habib salon in Nairobi, inaugurated by Mr. Rahul Chhabra, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kenya

With social media now central to how the world learns hair, Jawed Habib has built a community of millions across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. His weekly live show, Balbharat, started during the 2020 lockdown and has crossed 2 million collective views.

Top videos include Vaseline Hair Treatment (3.9M views), Best Natural Hair Colour (2.7M), Oiling Tips: Breaking The Myth (2.3M) and the 5-Minute Outcurls tutorial (1.9M).