Not merely a fad or an accessory, dreadlocks have come to represent a distinct contrast from “normal hair” and the straight and silky coiffures that have historically been considered “good hair”.
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As I looked at these high-fashion models, dressed in Jacob’s latest garments, with edgy make-up looks and a head full of pastel-colored textures, many thoughts rushed through my head.
EB: Last season, one hair lead openly complained to beauty editors about getting called out earlier in the week for a look that many felt was culturally appropriative.
Opaleke, who wears dreadlocks herself, said she will do the hairstyle for non-black clients, but talks to them about cultural appropriation and why they may get dirty looks from people in the black community. “I don’t see colour or race – I see people”, he wrote. I’m sorry to read that so many people are so narrow minded … Appreciation of all and inspiration from anywhere is a handsome thing.
Full marks to Twitter user “PettyRubble”, who, after Marc Jacobs’s NYFW show Thursday at the Hammerstein Ballroom on 34 Street, posted this message: “Marc Jacobs did a runway show with white models wearing fake dreadlocks”.
According to Fashionista, the wool hair pieces used in the show were created by “a (white) woman from Florida name Jena”, who Jacobs and legendary hairstylist, Guido Palau, found on Esty (we repeat, Esty) by doing a Google search (we repeat, a Google search). You see it on the street.
With a hair look such as this, whose original inspiration is steeped in cultural history, there is a wave of controversy sweeping social media – something the creative teams perhaps didn’t fully anticipate as it instigated a divisive discussion.
“There’s something tonight, but I can’t think what it is”, said one young woman to a pal.
It’s pretty hard to dispute that white people typically look ridiculous wearing dreadlocks.
Oh, coming in hot – The Cut just reported that Marc Jacobs responded on Instagram to the backlash.
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“Love is the answer”, Jacobs added. He also told the site that Rasta culture hadn’t been an inspiration whatsoever. Even though hippies, ravers, and other fringe cultures have appropriated this Rastafarian style for decades, it is a staple of the African-American community; a cultural touchstone.
