Natural Hair On The Runway

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The fashion industry is known for breaking the rules.

Natural hair is no different, and more models strutting the catwalk are embracing their natural curls, coils and kinks.

Not since Roshumba burst onto the modeling scene in the 80s wearing what's now known as a TWA has natural hair played such a prominent role in fashion spreads. Sure, models like Alex Wex and Noemie Lenoire have embraced their natural curls and bald heads on the runway.

But they were the exception -- not the rule.

Is Form Following Fashion?

That's changing, according to Vogue Italia, who lamented the crazy hair care practices of the past  that fried many a Black models' hair. As a result, supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks were left with horribly thinned edges and severe alopecia.

Black models were enough of a rarity; really, did they have to worry about their hair, too?

Vogue Italia writer Marjon Carlos wrote this:

"These haunting experiences are rarely talked about among the fashion world and often concealed in frustrated Facebook statues, or tweets, or woeful interview admissions from present-day Black fashion favorites Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn, messages that acknowledge a problem, but rarely hold few responsible."

That's changed, though, as textured hair now regularly makes an appearance on the runway. Designers are leading the way, showing plenty of natural haired models.

“It is uplifting and inspiring then to see the newest group of Black models storming the catwalks in full embrace of their natural hairstyles, from cropped Afros, flat tops, to buzzed scalps–and in turn being embraced by the industry that has typically approached black hair with skepticism and harsh critique.”

Fashion influences the masses, sets trends.  Let's hope the trend continues when it comes to natural
hair.

What do you think about natural hair on the runway?