Michael Flowers

Michael “Rahni” Flowers is a celebrated Chicago hair stylist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. After training at Vidal Sassoon and earning his cosmetology degree from Pivot Point International, he opened Van Cleef Hair Studio in 1981. The salon became a fixture in Chicago’s River North and attracted a high-profile clientele, including First Lady Michelle Obama, who remained a client for decades. Flowers is known not only for his styling talent but also for his deep community involvement, supporting organizations from the NAACP to local youth programs. He was honored with a L.E.O. Award and has an oral history housed in the Library of Congress.

In 2022, Flowers turned over ownership of Van Cleef Hair Studio to the next generation and retired with his husband and partner, Daryl Wells, in Costa Rica at their “Home in the Clouds”, Casa Las Nubes.