Lynonel Nelson has lived a life of color and volume that took him from a farm outside of Victoria all the way to Elizabeth Arden’s famous Red Door Salon in New York City.
Nelson says after incubating the story for years he finally got it on the page with the aid of writer Stephen J. Anderson in a book published in 2014 entitled, “From Farm to Fifth Avenue: How I Became a Stylist to the Rich & Famous at the World’s Most Exclusive Salon.”
He tells Galesburg’s Evenings News on WGIL he began thinking about writing his story many years ago when he was hairstylist to Blanche Knopf, a literary adviser who worked with writers like Langston Hughes, John Updike and Willa Cather.
“Over the years Mrs. Knopf would ask me questions,” says Nelson. “She said ‘young man do you take notes? You’ve got a book in you.’ That’s how it all started.”
After graduating from Victoria High School Nelson attended beauty school in Chicago and then worked for various salons in the years leading up to World War II.
Nelson enlisted in the Navy and served for 36 months.
On the GI bill he attended Knox College, commuting from home where he styled hair on the porch.
“Going to Knox was one of the most valuable experiences and growing experiences that I could have,” Nelson adds.
Nelson held a book signing at the Kensington yesterday afternoon.
