Monday 4 February 2013

Hair Stories 2


Bald & Brass

Pat Evans by Anthony Barboza, 1970.

Hair is a definite part of fashion; it is just as significant as the stitch in Levi jean pockets or the sole of Louboutin pumps, but just like fashion it tends to appeal to the masses and target markets. So how can hair that belongs to the minority become more appealing? Black women have always felt compelled to conform to western ideals, though women of all races believe hair defines their beauty and femininity. So how radical is it for a lady to shave her head, let alone a woman of colour, how else will she flaunt her sexuality? But progressively more black women are embracing their afrocentricity and the greatest thing, society is accepting this in an era of trend setting and standing out. 
In the 1960's Native American supermodel Pat Evans shaved her head bald in protest to industry standards, but afraid her agency Stewart models would drop her if clients discovered her shiny head, she wore wigs to castings. Despite uncertainty, Pat walked her first bald headed runway for designer Stephen Burrows, instantly paving the way for many coming up behind her, including icon Grace Jones


Grace Jones with her flattop fade influenced people like glamour model Amber Rose, who famously recreated a series of Graces poses for Complex magazine in 2009. Amber was recognised by her full figure and shaved hairstyle, dyed bleach blonde. Just like Pat she set a trend for generations of women, with young black girls shaving their hair worldwide. Singer and actress Willow smith recreated the style by adding an age appropriate baby pink.

Tyra Banks ‘Americas Next Top Model’ is famed for giving the big chop to aspiring models. Many models whose hair was amputated on the show have since gained major modelling contracts. It is fair to say legends like Pat and Grace influenced Tyra’s eye for a beautiful head and built a sturdy foundation for supermodels like Alek Wek and Ajuma Nasenyana, who are both of African decent.

Over the past 50 years this crusade has inevitably trickled down to popular culture with women of all backgrounds rocking shaven heads and quirky boy cuts. With this trend rising in the mainstream, perhaps it will become less political for black women to proudly rock their natural hair. 


Grace Jones

Amber Rose

Willow Smith


Alek Wek


Ajuma Nasenyana

Sunday 1 April 2012

Hair Stories (#1)

I recently discovered how to wear my dreads short. I decided to do this post because a few people have asked if I have cut my hair. But after almost 9 years of growing my locs, I have not yet reached that point. I can't deny though, that on many frustrating hair related occasions, I have indeed threatened to just give it the snip!

For now though, this style has been a God send. To have no hair swinging all over the place, getting caught in things...ughh, feels good man! Some time soon I may do a video post (I don't know though) and show you guys how I coil my locs into little china bumps or 'bamboo curls' as I recall my friend Enas calling them.

Drunken Swag :/ lol This was my friend Kadish's 21st b'day (so I have an excuse)
These are photos of  me about a year ago or so ago, just so you have an idea of how long my hair is. It has grown considerably since then but as I never really wear my hair down these picture will have to do.

This was me maybe just over a month ago when I first ever discovered that my hair would coil this tight. It was amazing. Not the clearest of photos but I have better ones in my previous post Love me. Love me not which was my second attempt at the short look. I noticed it was much neater and nicer, probably because I had washed my hair before hand that time.

What was also cool to see is how my hair progressed over time. Because unless you maintain the curls and keep your hair tight, it will gradually unravel. But no worries as it looks beautiful.





So that guys, was my hair journey. Even though the coils have fallen out I now have lovely, curly, full locs. And because the curls are so tight it also reduces the length of my hair, which is a new look again. Having long hair, to short hair and all the lengths in between in such a short space of is awesome. I felt brand new everyday.

Fish print coral crop top. Thrift store, San Francisco 2011. 


The head scarf has been one of my favorite looks. This picture was taken on Friday whilst I was getting ready to go to the screening of We Are Poets at the Leeds Townhall. I loved having a long fringe (bang) with exaggerated eyeliner peaking out underneath. It looked super cute.

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Love me. Love me not.

This is my boyfriend snapping photos of me the night before our  one year anniversary. We thought we would make a weekend on of it so this was our first night out on the town. I'm wearing a blue midi polo neck from ASOS with a pair of Jeffrey Campbell lita  patch in suede. Because I always lose or break my jeweller I 'borrowed' these beautiful Indian charm earrings and silver chocker from my mum. I just wore one or two pieces from my usual collection of bangles. I didn't end up wearing those tights. I am yet to wear those out of the house..someday.

So, my boyfriend and I didn't want to carry the camera with us so we took some really cool pictures on his iphone..but then it fell in water :(
I think these photos of me getting ready are really cute, even though I wish we had some of him. Never mind. We had a lovely weekend anyway. x


My messy room :/

I Looove my lita boots

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Job Hunt

So guys, I am currently broke. Probably because I spent all summer partying and all winter internet shopping. So in order to feed these habbits once this again this summer, I obviously have to get a job. So here I am feeling 'smart' in my new burnt orange tube skirt. One of my bargain finds I came across while having a serious buying fit in my bedroom as the rain made love to the concrete. £5 on sale from Rare. It popped up in the side bar and well, I couldn't resist.

My mums vintage girl guides belt
Levis denim jacket
Thinsulate beanie hat

Saturday 5 November 2011

Mothers Vintage

I found this beautiful vest in my Grandmas house probably about a year or two ago now. It belonged to my mum probably some time in the 80's. I had only worn it twice till now. This time I wanted to just be really casual but still cute with it, cause the last time I wore it was out on the town. So yeah, I got these cotton pants for like £5 and I paired them together with no contemplation really. The detail on the vest allows for minimal accessories although I do think it could handle a some cute bracelets.




Earrings by the beautiful Murktarat `Yussuff  http://ayoankhseyelettes.tumblr.com/
lol at my face. I figured Dr Martens and a leather  jacket to make it a little 'bad girl'

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Lady In Red

I love these boots so freakin much. I feel so happy and blessed that I found these on ebay a few days ago. Since August I been looking for some new boots. Ya know since the weathers changing now, no more sunshine. Not that there was much. But anyway, I got these for £22! Bargain! They're second hand of course but who's complaining. I believe these boots from Dr Martens are the Laura boot, at £130 brand new.
I think the red is amazing. It'll go so perfect with all these autumn/winter colours. They haven't even arrived yet and I am already so excited.

My favorite part of Dr Martens is the yellow hand stitched detail.

Look at all that red!

Sunday 30 October 2011

A promise to myself

A promise is a comfort to a fool, so they say. But I have to make myself post at the least, one fashion post a week..of myself I mean. I will probably post other stuff and ramble on about my life for those who care to hear (read) it. I'm just letting you guys know because my first post was allll the way January, then my next one being october. 
To be honest, I find this thing so hard to use, so i just gave up and set up a tumblr. http://freakingfamous.tumblr.com/


I like it, VERY easy to use! But I like talking to myself (and you guys) on here. So anyway, I hope you find something on here eventually to entertain you. Take care lovelys. x