Love it or Hate it? Lanvin Turban Headbands

I'm all for fashion, but there are some things that make me go, "hmm...?"

If you're hip to the natural hair scene, you know that turbans have been in for, like, ever! Naturals are doing it up, going ultra glam, with beautiful, ornate turbans, worn every which way -- top knots, side knots, back knots, figure-8 knots, you name it. You'd have to be living under a rock to not know that turbans have been in for a minute, with everyone from Solange to Rhianna wearing them.

So, it struck me as a bit odd when I read on The Zoe Report by fashionista Rachel Zoe that Lanvin has now debuted what they call a turban headband *drumroll, please* for a whopping $500. I. Could. Not. Believe. It.




Lanvin headbad


Lanvin's "turban" headband is really nothing more than a headband, in my book. They can take the "turban" out of it. I know of no turban that is of a similar size; it's just a smidge bigger than your standard headband, but no bigger than those huge headbands we used to wear back in the 90s (dating myself, I kno). Oh, and its available in black, red, gray and blue at Barney's New York.

And for $500? Chile, BYE! I can't think of a better waste of hard earned money.

Zoe writes:

"Leave it to Lanvin to introduce a real game-changer in the realm of accessories for your tresses. With the advent of the Parisian brand’s turban headband—our adornment du jour—we’re rapidly readjusting all traditional hairstyle regimens to best accommodate our favorite new look.

A hot item for fall, the turban has emerged as an unexpectedly cool topper for good and bad hair days alike. .. Effortless, elegant and totally wearable, the turban trend is a definite do."

Umm... I'm sorry but, now that Lanvin + other have "discovered" turbans, they are suddenly chic and cool?

So interesting.

You can look at the whole turban trend a few ways. Yeah, Rihanna, singer Chrisette Michelle, Solange, stylist June Ambrose and model Eva Marcille may rock a turban here and there, but many of your average, everyday black women get plenty of shade thrown their way for the look -- no matter how they make it work with makeup, chic earrings and shades.



Solange and singers Estelle and Chrisette Michelle wearing turbans





Some folks treat women wearing turbans as if they are lazy, trifling and rolling out the bed with a Du-Rag on because their hair isn't done. That is SO not it. I don't want to get off to much whole thing about high-end fashion discovering this look, because fashionable women in Nigeria and other African, Indian and Islamic countries have worn ornate head wraps-- turbans included -- for many, many years.

I haven't gotten much into turbans, though I did rock plenty of head wraps back when Alicia Keys make them popular, circa 2001-2003. I will say, though, that I hope that June Ambrose's line of trubans and the tons of indie turban designers and makers can profit from the fashion industry's newfound discovery. Their wares are a whole heck of a lot cheaper -- and look much, much better -- than Lanvin's plain old headband wannabe turban.