Refinery29 collaborates with award-winning hairstylist Charlotte Mensah and photographer Lily Bertrand-Webb on a series of empowering images that celebrate the art form of African hair threading
Refinery29 have unveiled a new original photo series exploring the traditional West African technique, which has been used for centuries as a protective style and alternative to heat styling. Casting four beautiful women, the pictures shine a spotlight on the cultural and aesthetic significance of afro hair threading.
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[/three_fourth][one_fourth_last padding=”0 0px 0 0″]AYESHA — My hair is part of me, not only in the physical, literal sense but as an extension of myself. It’s something I have to look after, take care of and love.[/one_fourth_last]
[one_fourth padding=”0 10px 0 0″]CHANEL — My heritage is Ghanaian and my grandmother who is from the Ashanti tribe often threaded my hair when I was in primary school[/one_fourth][three_fourth_last padding=”0 0px 0 0″]
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[/three_fourth][one_fourth_last padding=”0 0px 0 0″]PORTIA — Learning to love your natural self is a journey and I’m still on it. When it comes to my hair, I know that letting it be and embracing it in its natural form is when it’s happiest[/one_fourth_last]
[one_fourth padding=”0 10px 0 0″]EMILYNE — Would I wear this as an everyday style? YES! I feel royal and regal. But it is important and interesting to note that just two or three years ago, absolutely not. It’s been years of self-love[/one_fourth][three_fourth padding=”0 0px 0 0″]
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The full photo series and interviews with models Portia Ferrari, Ayesha McMahon, Emilyne Mondo and Chanel Taylor can be seen on Refinery29.uk now
