Antoni Cierplikowski (1884-1976), born in Sieradz, son of Antoni and Joanna (née Majchrzak), hairdresser, stylist, cosmetics manufacturer and patron of the arts, known as the "king of hairdressers - barber of kings". At the age of 11, he began learning the hairdressing profession at his uncle's establishment in Łódź. In 1901, he left for Paris, where he initially worked in wig-weaving, and from 1903, he was involved in styling hairstyles for clients, quickly gaining popularity among the artistic elite.

In 1905, he went to London to study English. On his return to Paris in 1909, he gained worldwide fame as the creator of the 'tomboy' hairstyle (à la garçonne), which he designed for the actress Ève Lavallière. He was a forerunner of modern hairstyles and created hairstyles for some of the greatest stars of the era, such as Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, Josephine Baker, Édith Piaf and Greta Garbo.

In 1912, he opened his first salon in Paris on rue Cambon. In the 1920s and 1930s, he created an international chain of hairdressing salons, including in New York, London, Tokyo and Warsaw. He worked with film studios such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and designed hairstyles for crowned heads and Hollywood stars, including Bette Davis and Marlene Dietrich.

Cierplikowski was also a patron of the arts and a close friend of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Xawery Dunikowski. He received numerous awards for his achievements, including the Legion of Honour in France and the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. In 1970, he returned permanently to his native Sieradz, where he spent the last years of his life.