Creator of Beehive Hair Style Inducted into Chicago History Museum

Ninety-two-year-old Vinci Heldt and the hat that inspired the first beehive hairdo will be inducted into The Chicago History Museum.

The stylist invented the iconic beehive do in 1960 after Modern Beauty Salon magazine requested that she make a look to mark the new decade. “Nothing much had happened since the French twist, the pageboy and the flip,” Heldt told reporters.

Heldt looked to her black velvet fez-style cap with two beaded decorations that looked like bees. This new style meant less maintenance, “I liked that hat because, when I took it off, my hairstyle stayed in place.”

Cosmetologists Chicago has also made an award in Heldt’s name, which will be given out for the first time in March.