Jean Rennette, a former schoolteacher and waterski instructor who turned a Belgian wig business into a global hair tools manufacturer, has died at age 82.
Olivia Garden, the company Rennette founded in 1967 with his wife Micheline, announced his passing with a collection of photos on social media documenting his remarkable life and career.
"His journey is synonymous with the Olivia Garden journey," said the company, known for pioneering ceramic and ionic technology in salon tools. "Over the years, his dedication and creativity propelled us to be a brand that’s celebrated across the globe."
Rennette was born in Liège, Belgium in 1942. While waterskiing in France he became smitten with Micheline, a hairdresser and esthetician. After their marriage, they started a cottage business selling the fashion wigs and hairpieces that she colored and styled.
When the demand for wigs waned in the 70s, the two pivoted their business to creating and selling their own liquid product line, Formulation, with ahead-of-its-time eco-friendly products. The two began working with industry-leading stylists to offer professional education. Olivia Garden released its first salon pro tool, the Silence HP hair dryer, in the 1980s.
The couple moved to the California Bay Area in 1985 with their children, Pierre and Anne, who worked with their parents to start the business's first overseas branch in a competitive new market (and who remain Olivia Garden co-owners).
The company quickly gained a reputation for exacting research and development methods in order to design tools that minimized hair damage while being comfortable enough for stylists to use for hours every day.
In the years that followed, Olivia Garden exploded with innovations, including the first hairbrush to combine ceramic and ionic technologies, the first completely vented round and paddle brushes, stylist shears that came with an industry-first trade-in program, and Heat Pro, the first hairbrush to heat up to 550°.
Olivia Garden also developed its focus on professional education, and started doing major Fashion Week sponsorships in 2014.
Today, the company has more than 55 patents and sells its tools in 102 countries, including the JEAN by Olivia Garden barber line. It continues developing products at its Antioch, CA headquarters, tested by a network of hair professionals throughout the U.S.
Sustainability remains a priority for Olivia Garden, which recently launched a free hair tool recycling program that accepts all brands.
“Our father’s creativity, passion and dedication shaped this organization,” said Rennette's daughter, Anne Maza. “We will honor his memory with the continuation of innovation and support for the professionals who have trusted our brands for over 55 years.”