Notes about hair which will be adapted into text for exhibition

I decided to take some booked from the library to take some information about hair styling in fashion and fantasy. The book by Laurent Philippon was really interesting. Below are my notes from the book, i will take some of the text and adapt it into the exhibition to show my understanding of hair and design.

Philippon, L. (2013) Hair. Fashion and fantasy. Farnborough: Thames & Hudson.

Preface

Hair is a living art. Artist have used hair as a medium, not just for sauce of beautification, but to reveal the beauty of hair itself, and the creative spirit that moves us.

p.9 The beauty of a hairstyle speaks for itself: anyone with a curious eye can understand a hair style.

Every culture and fashion carries different codes, but hair styles have a kind of universality. Throughout history, hair styles have conferred status on the wearer.

Fashion and status are easily linked

Hair carries strong spiritual symbolism.

p.10 Hair is the only part of the body that we can change whenever we want, without causing permanent damage. We can dress it up or dress it down, to reflect personality, attract attention, to project a chosen identity or to seize the mood of the moment.

In some parts of Africa, it is possible to ‘read’ a story of someone’s life by paying attention to their hair style.

We are the only animal on the planet to give our hair so much care and attention.

Inspiration is everywhere

In fashion photography, hair styling is often the most versatile and sophisticated way to set the tone if the whole shoot. The style of hair can alter the mood and effect, whether glamorous or sensuous, formal or relaxed, still of frenzied.

Hair styles bring fashion to life.

Braiding

p.15 One of the oldest ways of styling hair to us

Braiding requires no special instrument or tool and can be worked by simply using the fingers.

The classic style is a 3 strand plait, but the hair can be braided using 4, 5, 6 strands or even woven up to 10 separate sections.

Curls

p.49 Our ancestors realised that framing the face with beautiful wavy curls softens the face and enhances its shape.

Waves flowing abundantly down a women’s back and the sensuality suggested by richly curled locks, have inspired artists, sculptors and painters through the ages in a quest to portray the idealized female form.

Loose hair

p.83 Loose hair grows, constantly generating itself, a living protective mane.

For many centuries in many societies, hair worn loose has been reserved for moments of intimacy.

Hair can be an erotic part of us, as intimate as parts of the body that are usually covered.

Unveiled hair becomes synonymous with sensuality, freedom and fantasy.

Long loose hair has often been associated with seduction and eroticism.

In the 60’s and 70’s long loose hair became a way of demonstrating liberation, equality, peace and love.

p.185 ‘Trends used to be related to be a social movement. Nowadays there are no big political movements that have a meaning, theres nothing to fight for’ – Orlando Pita (hair stylist)

the chignon

p.201 Hair is the most natural and adaptable kind of ornamentation. It can be endlessly shaped and sculpted into surprising new forms.

In the 1960’s creative hair styling bursts into life after the austerity of the war years.

Wigs

p.235 The wig has many uses: to protect against the sun, to hide physical imperfections, to change the look or the colour of one’s hair, or even mark social status.

Elaborate and expensive wigs indicated the wearer could afford the finest personal decoration. Elizabeth 1^st had an impressive collection of wigs.

In the 17^th century France the art of the wig reached its peak. Ladies at the court of Marie Antoinette carried the fashion into the 18^th century.

Wigs are most commonly noticed on the heads of actors and judges. Fashionable pleasure seekers may prefer hair extensions, they, too, enjoy the liberation of adopting another identity.

Short hair

p.263 Usually associated with masculine occupation

cutting hair has often symbolised a removal of individuality, whether imposed on slaves or soldiers, or as a punishment for outcasts, collaborators or convicts.