Todd Allen
Todd Allen passed away peacefully July 7, 2018, at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center in Dallas after a courageous battle with heart failure.
Allen was born Sept. 26, 1963 in Hutchinson, Kan., and spent his childhood there before moving to Amarillo, where he would become a track star and graduate from Amarillo High School. After finishing Ogle Hair School, Todd set out to make his mark on the world. He was the first-ever American Apprentice at Toni & Guy and, after his apprenticeship, worked in the best salons in Dallas before opening his own shop, The Todd Allen Salon. Over the next 35 years, he worked with some of the biggest names in style and fashion, coast-to-coast, inspiring many others to get into the business.
Todd spent several years in New York and Miami, working with world-renowned celebrity stylist Orbie. After years, Todd brought his passion, experience and entrepreneurial spirit back to Dallas to create Orange Salon. His innate passion for making everything around him more beautiful led to Preservation Dallas presenting him with the 2006 Preservation Achievement Award for the renovation of his mid-century home in Forest Hills.
Todd volunteered countless hours helping to raise funds for HIV/AIDS related causes, helping start DIFFA Dallas in 1984. Throughout his life Todd strived to mentor others and to make every client — celebrity or not — look and feel like a star.
Todd is survived by his parents, Emmett and Judy Gookins Allen; sisters, Amy Foster and her husband, Mike, and Jennifer Allen; nephews, Brett Foster his wife, Amy, and their sons Paxton and Brady, and Andrew Foster; and his niece, Mollie Foster; his beloved English bulldog, Minnie Pearl; and many devoted clients and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held Monday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at The Grapevine Bar, 3902 Maple Ave. in Dallas.
“It’s not what you wear…it’s who does your hair.” — Todd Allen