In salons across the globe the blowdryers are on half-speed and black ribbons adorn the texturising shears and thinning scissors as the world of coiffure marks the passing of one of the legends of the craft.

Follicles themselves have eased their growth as a mark of respect to the great Vidal Sassoon, who is preparing to tip back his head into the curved edge of the great hair-washing sink in the sky and hear St Peter ask: "Is that too hot for you, or are you all right?"

In the boutiques of Paris the lights around the mirrors have been dimmed and in Los Angeles combs have been balanced in the window to form an arch of honour. President Obama summed up the feelings of many when he said: "Vidal Sassoon was a great man, a visionary who brought the shining light of democracy to the tyranny of the beehive on so many scalps. Thanks to him, many women today say to themselves at their dressing tables: 'Yes we can.'"

Among countless tributes, one of the most moving will take place at the United Nations in New York on Monday where there will be a minute's silence to be respectfully concluded by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who will ask the Assembly: "Have you booked your holidays yet?", one of the conversational innovations for which Sassoon is so famous and which is now commonplace.

Before Sassoon, conversation at the barbers could be banal, even rude. A curt "'Been away?" was the order of the day. It was Sassoon who introduced a freer, more sophisticated approach that some likened to verbal conditioner. A simple remark about the weather could lead to moments of pure philosophy, as in this exchange recorded in the BBC documentary A Cut Above The Rest, made in 1963.

Jean Shrimpton: "Chilly, isn't it?"

Sassoon: "Yes, but they say it will brighten up at the weekend. First it's one thing, then the other – you never know where you are with British weather, do you? A bit like life!"

Fellow stylist Tim O'Tei will speak at next week's funeral where the cortege will pass beneath a tunnel of hairdryers, bowed like the heads of fritillaries. The final tribute will be provided by the pallbearers, who will hold mirrors at the rear corners of the casket. Well, on your final journey, you want to make sure you look your best, don't you?