I Was Natural Before Natural Hair Became An Industry
"Can you do cornrow tree braids?"
"What about invisible crochet?"
"Do you know how to do knotless?"
These are questions I still get from clients. My response is usually the same.
"Please just send me a picture."
Nine times out of ten, they're showing me something I was doing twenty-five or thirty years ago. The name might be different, but I recognize the technique immediately.
Sometimes I have to laugh. Baby, we've been doing that…
Future Shock Is The Key To Understanding The Meta-Crisis In The Beauty Industry
…“Future shock is a time phenomenon, a product of the greatly accelerated rate of change in society. It arises from the super imposition of a new culture on an old one. It is culture shock in one’s own society. But its impact is far worse” (Toffler 1970, 4). When his book was first published, the insights were revolutionary. Today we are living - almost word for word - many of the scenarios he predicted would arise as a natural consequence of our inability to adapt to the pace and direction of innovation…
Fungi Fresh: How Mushroom Fibers Could Close the Fashion Industry’s Loops
Imagine a jacket that fits you perfectly. It’s soft, flexible, breathable, and strong enough to withstand the most vigorous exercise and extreme weather events. Its surface bears a unique textural pattern unlike any other garment. Not because it was designed that way; because it was grown that way.
In fact, it’s still growing, because it’s alive. It senses the weather like you do and responds accordingly, managing temperature and humidity changes without added sensors or hardware. If it rips, you can just add pellets of the base material and let the living fabric repair itself. If, somehow, it gets damaged beyond repair, you can always throw it out, and in as little as 40 days, it will biodegrade, becoming indistinguishable from the soil around it…
Five Ideas For Skincare Enthusiasts In Search Of Something New
When you're no longer a beginner and truly have skincare as a hobby, you quickly realize that the advice and discussion across the internet is often written for complete novices, limited to problems solving, or just another excuse to sell products. We don't need another explanation about the virtues of wearing sunscreen or Vitamin C serums. Niancinimide and exfoliating are not new and revolutionary. So where does a beauty enthusiast go for more advanced consideration of skincare topics? If it feels like you've exhausted all the quality skincare content available online, this curated list is for you.
These new ideas are a jumping off point, much like the rabbit holes shared in our last curated list (which includes a must watch presentation on the future of Trend Analysis). The resources below help answer the question, “What next?”, when you're in need of fresh skincare inspiration…
Process-Striving: A New Form of Status Competition In The Social Media Era
In every creative endeavor, there is a “behind the scenes” component that is less refined than the end result - a messy kitchen before a stunning meal, or the awkward rehearsals before opening night. Beauty routines, diets, workouts, planning/life management systems, and cleaning schedules, are just a few examples of the essential “behind the scenes” aspects of womanhood. These processes are integral to excelling at the roles we play in our day-to-day lives but until recently they were intentionally concealed from public view and open discussion. The allure of well-executed womanhood…
Twin Visions Of Progress: A Symbolic Analysis Of Modern Beauty Trends
Contemporary female beauty standards are, in one word: polarizing. Self-expression, body neutrality, and inclusivity are proclaimed loudly by both businesses and everyday women, while simultaneously filters, plastic surgery, and “looksmaxxing” have captivated a significant portion of the population. These twin visions of progress…