H I S T O R Y

Italian-born Mario Tricoci began his career at an early age, advancing within his profession throughout the international beauty industry.  Mario participated in numerous national and international competitions where he gained significant notoriety, launching his American hairstyling career in 1960 in the Chicago area.  Today, Mario is globally recognized as a visionary of beauty & style.

In 1963, Mario opened his first salon in Villa Park, Illinois, and eventually moved to a larger location in Des Plaines.  In 1977, he began a new Mario Tricoci brand, opening the first domestic, privately owned salon in a major shopping mall (Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL).  The business flourished and new locations were added.  In 1986, the Mario Tricoci Salon in Arlington Heights, Illinois became the first Day Spa in the Midwest.  Currently, Mario Tricoci operates 19 salons and spas throughout Chicagoland and Kansas.

In the spring of 2006, Mario Tricoci was honored with the inaugural International Legends Award.  Respected by his peers of the hairdressing elite, Mario once was a member of the Board of Directors of Intercoiffure America/Canada.  He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Intercoiffure Mondial (worldwide organization) headquartered in Paris and Switzerland, as well as a honorary member of the Cosmetologists Chicago Association.

Mario and his work have been featured in leading beauty industry and consumer publications, including Vogue, Elle, Allure, Glamour, McCall’s, Redbook, Self and Shape, as well as Modern Salon, American Salon, Salon News and Passion/Coiffure Q.  Recognized locally and nationally as a beauty authority, he has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Jenny Jones, Chicago network television news and popular Chicago radio programs.  Mario Tricoci was twice nominated as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by INC Magazine in partner with Merrill Lynch and Ernst & Young.