From Cuban Refugee to Hair Stylist for the Elite
Peter Lamas started his career as a young immigrant arriving in New York City from Cuba. He secured an apprenticeship under legends Vidal Sassoon and Paul Mitchell on Madison Avenue during the 1960s. These mentors tested his skills and encouraged his technical growth. After gaining ground in that circle, Lamas joined the Kenneth Battelle salon. This location served as the primary hub for celebrities, models, and socialites in Manhattan at the time.
Lamas proved himself capable in a high-pressure environment. His client list eventually grew to include names like Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn. He became known for his attention to detail, specifically with Mia Farrow’s famous pixie cut from the film Rosemary's Baby. He notes that such a style requires precision because it draws attention to every facial feature.
The Professional Relationship with Jackie Kennedy
Lamas transitioned from an apprentice to a personal stylist for Jacqueline Kennedy. The change happened when Kenneth Battelle was unavailable to assist the former first lady. Lamas recalls being nervous during his first appointment with her. His technical reliability made him a preferred choice for her needs. When aggressive paparazzi made it difficult for Kennedy to visit salons in the late 1960s, Lamas became the stylist who traveled to her.
His role took him to Skorpios island in Greece for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis. Lamas observed a change in her demeanor after she married Onassis and became known as Jackie O. He describes the earlier version of Jackie Kennedy as guarded and shy, whereas the post-marriage version possessed a different shift in confidence. He maintained a close working distance as her stylist, eventually becoming a trusted confidant.
Revelations on the JFK Assassination and Marilyn Monroe
One evening, while working on her hair for a Lincoln Center event, Kennedy spoke to Lamas about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It was the first time she had brought up the subject with him. She expressed her belief that Lee Harvey Oswald was not the primary actor in the event. Kennedy specifically called Oswald a stooge in her conversation with Lamas.
She also discussed the death of Marilyn Monroe. Kennedy told Lamas that she believed Monroe was murdered. She linked the circumstances of Monroe’s death to those surrounding her husband’s assassination, suggesting common actors were involved. Lamas notes that this conversation remains difficult to recall even decades later.
The Role of the Stylist as a Confidant
Lamas argues that the relationship between a client and a stylist resembles that of a person and their priest or therapist. Because stylists handle personal appearances and private time, clients often open up about their lives. He emphasizes that he does not see his new book, Jackie Kennedy’s Stylist, as a gossip column. He views the project as a reflection of his own path and the people he helped along the way. His career trajectory highlights how a specialized trade can lead to proximity with some of history’s most guarded figures.