The Chicago beauty community is mourning the loss of one of its own. Dori Wilson, notable Chicago publicist and founder of Dori Wilson Public Relations, has passed away. She was 77.
A key fixture of Chicago’s fashion and beauty scene, Wilson was a heavy supporter of Cosmetologists Chicago and America’s Beauty Show for the last few decades. In fact, her name is synonymous with America’s Beauty Show, given the instrumental role she played in its rich legacy and in coordinating the annual event.
“Over the last 12 months, Dori’s contributions to America’s Beauty Show were most profound,” said Frank Fulco, CEO of Cosmetologists Chicago and America’s Beauty Show, in a statement. “Through the global pandemic, Dori tirelessly worked to connect America’s Beauty Show with resources throughout the Chicagoland area. She was and will forever be remembered as a person of strong character and warm heart that was always seeking ways to help others.”
According to Karen Gordon, President of Cosmetologists Chicago and America’s Beauty Show, Wilson will always be remembered as an important member of the company’s family.
“For more than 20 years, she shined a beautiful light on our association. Dori helped us with advocacy issues when our industry needed it most. One of her greatest gifts was being able to connect people from all walks of life who could help one another. Strong, independent, savvy,” shared Gordon. “Dori was so much more than most people knew. A trailblazing model. An astute business woman. A loving aunt. An animal lover. A generous soul. Dori was a friend to many, including all of us at Cosmetologists Chicago. Our world will be forever smaller without her.”
Known as “the” go-to contact for media producers looking for beauty updates, Wilson never failed to deliver. Of all that she brought to Cosmetologists Chicago, most noteworthy was her knowledge of serving the diverse markets of the salon industry as well as the greater city of Chicago. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the company reflected the amazing diversity of their location, often using her connections to bring talented artists to Chicago. A true trailblazer, Wilson brought Cosmetologists Chicago’s consumer message to the media, making the company the true voice for the salon community. Without a doubt, her 27 years of service to the company are legendary.
Reflecting on Wilson’s beginnings with the organization, former CEO of Cosmetologists Chicago Paul Dykstra shared: “Dori Wilson came into the association’s focus by producing one of the major fashion events for America’s Beauty Show, formerly the Midwest Beauty show. Recommended by legendary Chicago hairdresser Leigh Jones and then president Velma Glenn, Dori quickly caught the eye of the organization and took over consumer public relations and media delivery of first only the beauty show and later the entire organization. What followed were years of unprecedented local, state, national, and international media coverage of the annual event, which would have cost the organization virtually millions of dollars in equivalent advertising.”
According to Fulco, Cosmetologists Chicago will be honoring Wilson at this year’s Beauty Show.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors for Cosmetologists Chicago & America’s Beauty Show and our community of licensed beauty professionals, we are forever grateful for Dori Wilson’s years of service and believe that her spirit lives on in all of us. Dori was a fearless champion of good and we intend to honor her at the 2021 America’s Beauty Show to be held in Rosemont, IL on September 11, 12 , and 13,” he said.
Cosmetologists Chicago extends their deepest condolences to Wilson’s extended family and in lieu of flowers, they will be accepting donations to The Dori Wilson Scholarship on behalf of Dori Wilson through their company scholarship foundation.
For more updates, be sure to follow @americasbeautyshow on Instagram.
