In Denmark the union of hairdressers and the hairdressing schools has opened their eyes to techniques of South African hair show.
For the last few years “black hair” has featured as a special theme on
the annual Hair Festival. The photos on these pages are from Copenhagen
Hair Festival, September 2008. The Black Hair Show was among the main
attractions for a large professional audience in the two-day festival
programme. The show took place in the Royal Danish Library and was
complete with drums and singing as the models did their catwalk.Models
at the fashion show were presenting spectacular hairstyles made by
invited hair artists from Burkina Faso and South Africa.
Part of the
show was devoted to inform about the background for the traditional
hairstyles. The Danish hairdressers attending experienced how African
hairstyles and fashion often has a deeper meaning than what we are used
to in Europe.Besides making a woman look
beautiful, the hair and clothes can have a symbolic value and send
messages. One hairstyle signalled “go-away-I-am-just-married” while
another meant “come-closer-I-am-single”.
The team also displayed more
modern varieties of hair, and some extraordinary ideas that were
definitely not meant for everyday use.Emmanuel Bassole and Suzanne
Traoré both represented Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Suzanne Traoré has specialised in braiding techniques while Emmanuel
Bassolé is mixing his African experiences with a western education.
Yvonne Mahape is running a cosmetology and hairdressing school in a
shantytown area of Cape Town. The school was originally formed during
apartheid in South Africa when young black people were not allowed to
enter the colleges.
For the show Ghanaian hairdresser Barikisu Larsen, who lives and works in Copenhagen, assisted them. At a “look and learn” session later in the day, the hairdressers talked to their European colleagues about the more technical details and problems of black hair care. Techniques such as braids, twist, cornrows, weave on and water curls were discussed and demonstrated. “We would like to bring African hair to Europe. Obviously the Europeans can learn from our methods, just as we can learn from theirs,” Yvonne Mahape explained.It seems the idea is beginning to catch on. The interest in African hair design has led to more international projects. Unions of hairdressers in Denmark and Ghana are now working together –exchanging ideas, styles and educating about the importance of organising, working environment and safe use of chemicals.
For the show Ghanaian hairdresser Barikisu Larsen, who lives and works in Copenhagen, assisted them. At a “look and learn” session later in the day, the hairdressers talked to their European colleagues about the more technical details and problems of black hair care. Techniques such as braids, twist, cornrows, weave on and water curls were discussed and demonstrated. “We would like to bring African hair to Europe. Obviously the Europeans can learn from our methods, just as we can learn from theirs,” Yvonne Mahape explained.It seems the idea is beginning to catch on. The interest in African hair design has led to more international projects. Unions of hairdressers in Denmark and Ghana are now working together –exchanging ideas, styles and educating about the importance of organising, working environment and safe use of chemicals.
