Nicky Clarke has been blasted for declaring that only men can have grey hair and still be found attractive as he criticised the Duchess of Cambridge for not covering up her natural roots.
The celebrity hairdresser felt compelled to reach out to the Duchess via the Daily Mail with his “sexist” advice that while all women should not be seen with grey hair until they are "really old", the Duchess has even more of a responsibility to hide her roots because of her "style icon" status.
“She does have amazing things done to her hair and it can look great," he said, "but unfortunately it’s the case for women — all women — that until you’re really old, you can’t be seen to have any grey hairs. Men can go grey in their mid-50s and still be considered attractive — it’s the whole silver fox thing — but it’s not the same for women.
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“Kate is such a style icon that even a few strands of grey would be a disaster, so I highly recommend that she cover it up."
Unsurprisingly, his comments were not well received, with his use of the term "disastrous" widely ridiculed. As Ukip MEP Jane Collins pointed out, "a disaster is someone losing their home or a terminal cancer diagnosis. Not the natural ageing process".
@Telegraph Nicky Clarke needs a reality check regarding women going grey because theres absolutely nothing wrong with it!!! Very offended!
; Candy Gellatly (@candygellatly) July 29, 2015
It would be a 'disaster' if Nicky Clarke ever again makes a judgement based on a woman having a few strands of grey hair.
; Eimear McGovern (@3imear) July 29, 2015
Sod Nicky Clarke, I'd be THRILLED if Kate Middleton went grey.
; Allie Nickell (@alliethinks) July 29, 2015
@DMReporter Nicky Clarke is the voice of reason. How dare Kate show herself ageing.
; Eddie Bridge (@Ebwarge) July 29, 2015
Infuriatingly-sexist comments from Nicky Clarke who says the Duchess going grey would be a disaster | via @Telegraph http://t.co/KWB2J2N2bP
; Kerry McQueeney (@Kezekiel) July 29, 2015
@falconermusic Somebody should buy Nicky Clarke a big dictionary, show him the meaning of the word disaster, then slam it shut on his face.
; barney farmer (@barneyfarmer) July 29, 2015
Nicky Clarke says it would be 'a disaster' if Duchess of Cambridge goes grey. Just a slight over-reaction then? http://t.co/DjyNfLMsuC
; Jo Hemmings (@TVpsychologist) July 29, 2015
It isn't the first time that Kate has been unduly scrutinised simply for daring not to cover grey hair. A couple of grey flecks in 2013 prompted a flurry of articles speculating as to why she would even consider leaving the house with them showing.
