We are all well aware of the fire Marc Jacobs’ was under after his controversial spring 2016 runway show where he sent models down the runway with faux dreadlocks. Interestingly enough, the show itself was not what sparked the fire. It was Marc Jacobs’ response to reviews of his show. The reviews claimed the use of faux dreadlocks was cultural appropriation. Although Jacobs later came back to apologize for his lack of sensitivity in his original response, the designer left another conversation on the table. We see how the media and large industries feel about natural hair but how do real girls with natural hair feel about the way the media perceives their hair?
Here are three natural haired Fashionistas from the University of North Texas sharing how they feel about their hair and their opinions on the way everyone else, particularly jobs and the media, see their hair.
“I love how my natural hair sets me apart. Even if I stand in a line of 10 natural women, my curl pattern is different than theirs. It makes me feel confident. When I have my natural hair completely out I walk with a little bit of an attitude because in the words of Beyoncé, ‘I’m feeling myself.’”
“Once upon a time I dealt with the typical standard of beauty, constantly struggling to fit into the ideal mold. After a revelation and a bit of growing up, I started wearing my natural hair. I love my hair essentially because it’s God-given! I was perfectly made and made to serve him. Natural hair in the media is looked at just like everything else; ‘pretty’ with certain stipulations.”
“I love how versatile my hair is and it’s always unique. I wouldn’t say that it is a part of my identity, rather more a part of me. I’m not my hair. I think it’s hypocritical how there are fashion shows [using variations of natural hair styles] and the media thinks it is cool yet black girls may not have a job if they have dreadlocks. [This double standard] is insane.”
