Kim Kardashian's hairdresser Chris Appleton defends his jaw-dropping $200K fee for a cut
Context:
A celebrity hairstylist reveals that his top fee for Kardashian hair is $200,000, admitting he previously claimed $100,000 due to fear of judgment. He justifies the amount by citing extensive travel and a full commitment, noting taxes and agents reduce net earnings, and that he does work pro bono at times. The discussion highlights how compensation in high-profile styling can be complex, including travel, expenses, and management charges. The broader context covers his ongoing work with Kardashian, including Met Gala appearances, and public responses to past styling choices. The outlook suggests continued scrutiny of celebrity pricing in luxury fashion and entertainment circles.
Dive Deeper:
On a recent episode of the Great Company with Jamie Long podcast, Chris Appleton stated that his highest fee for a haircut with Kim Kardashian was $200,000, admitting he had previously claimed $100,000 to avoid criticism.
Appleton explained that the sum reflects substantial travel and a full-commitment service, and he broke down the earnings after taxes and fees, noting a 50 percent tax burden plus 20 percent for his agent and 5 percent for a business manager.
He stressed that there are occasions when he does work for free, and he also highlighted that his fee covers travel and other expenses associated with high-profile assignments.
The story ties to Kardashian’s ongoing collaboration with Appleton, including hair styling for Met Gala looks, and references a 2022 moment when Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress and had blond, slicked-back hair that drew public critique.
Kardashian later reflected on that 2022 moment in a final-fitting vlog, criticizing Appleton and makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic for not staying focused, a sentiment Appleton and Dedivanovic reportedly teased with each other in subsequent discussions.
The piece underscores how star-studded styling decisions, timeline pressures, and public perception converge around top-tier services, raising questions about pricing norms in celebrity fashion and the visibility of compensation structures.