Fred Glaser

Fredrick Glaser was born in southern Illinois into a family of barbers. He began styling at the early age of 15. Fred graduated from the high school in London Mills, IL, married, had a daughter, and served in the US Navy. He went on to study art at Bradley University and sculpted commercially before moving to Chicago in 50’s.

Professional Life

After moving to Chicago, Fred opened a series of successful beauty shops. With his natural talent and ease of learning, it wasn’t long before Fred became a hit sensation among the female clientele in Chicago. Word spread and soon he could be found on film and television stages, in the theater-before the lights or backstage, in photographic studios, and on location anywhere from California to New York and even to Brighton, England.

Barbra Streisand

Fred met Barbra Streisand, and what started out as a friendship bloomed into a working relationship that lasted a number of years and included photographs, press shots, albums, television shows, concerts, and a movie. Listed below are some of the more memorable stars and events that Fred has been involved with.

A Chronological History

Early 1950s

* Fred moves to Chicago
* Fred opens his 1st beauty shop in Chicago (located on Dearborn St. in the old Logan Hotel)

1956

* Stylist for Sharon Ritchie (Miss America)

1957

* Fred moves and opens his 2nd shop, Fred’s Shears and Cheers (located on State Street)

Late 1950’s - Mid 1960’s

* Model stylist for Playboy

Early 1960’s

* Fred moves and opens his 3rd shop in an old brownstone (located on Rush Street)
* Fred meets and becomes friends with Doris Duke, who at the time was known as one of the richest women in the world (granddaughter of Duke University founder). They remained life long friends.

1961

* Fred attends the Inaugural Ball for John F. Kennedy (invited by the Kennedy organization)

1963

* Fred Meets Barbra Streisand
* Stylist for the remainder of Barbra’s first concert tour:
** The Arie Crown Theater, Chicago, Illinois
** The San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California
** Civic Auditorium, Sacramento, California
** Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
** The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
* Stylist for the cover shot for The Second Barbra Streisand Album

1965

* Attends the Inaugural Ball for Lyndon B. Johnson (as stylist to Barbra, who is to perform)
* Stylist for Barbra in My Name is Barbra (1st CBS Special)
* Stylist for Barbra at the Forest Hills Music Festival (Barbra sings a new song written by Neil Wolfe, a piano player)
* Stylist for Barbra who appears in Vogue, August 1965
* Stylist for Barbra who appears on the cover of GQ, December 1965

1966

* Fred creates a 15 minute fashion segment for Clairol Inc. during the Bop Hope Spectacular (Arie Crown Theatre).
* Stylist for Deborah Bryant (Miss America)
* Stylist for Barbra who appears on the cover of Ladies Home Journal, August 1966
* Stylist for Barbra during the photo Shoot with Richard Avedon
* Stylist for Barbra in Color Me Barbra (2nd CBS Special)
* Stylist for Barbra’s second concert tour:
** The Festival Field, Newport, Rhode Island
** John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
** Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
** Soldiers Field, Chicago, Illinois

1967

* Stylist for Barbra at the Hollywood Bowl Concert
* Stylist for Barbra in The Belle of 14th Street (3rd CBS Special)
* Stylist for Barbra in A Happening in Central Park (4th CBS Special)

1969

* Stylist for Barbra in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Movie)
* Stylist for Barbra for her appearance at Fortieth Annual Academy Awards

Late 1960’s

* Fred designed and built a new space age salon, Fred Glaser Fashion Center. Called “a cinema of visual surprises” by writer Carol Foster for Chicago Magazine.

Early 1970’s

* Sells Fred Glaser Fashion Center to Vidal Sassoon
* Fred moves from Chicago to Coconut Grove (to sculpt full time)

1971

* Stylist for Phyllis George (Miss America)

1976

* Fred holds a sculpture show at the Richard Himmel Design Pavilion
* Began renovating the Islamorada Yacht Basin
* Opened the Lorelei Restaurant in Islamorada

Currently

* Resides in North Florida
* Sculpting

Awards and Achievements

* Jewish Federation
* Gold Coast Fashion Award
* Chicago Magazine Award
* Chicago Maternity Center

Photographers Fred has worked with

* Avedon
* Milton Greene
* Philippe Halsman
* David Montgomery (London, England)
* James Moore
* Irving Penn
* Victor Skrebneski

Books Published

* Face Facts (published 1968)

References and External Links:

* Considine, Shaun. Barbra Streisand: The Woman, The Myth, The Music. New York: Delacorte Press, 1985.
* Cunningham, Ernest W. The Ultimate Barbra. Los Angeles: Renaissance Books, 1998.
* Howe, Matt. Barbra-Archives. http://www.barbra-archives.com/index.html
* Visit Fred Glaser's webpage on The Sculpture Society: http://www.nationalsculpture.org/nss/artists/associate_gallery/index.cfm?id=1734