British Curlies

British Style

Changing Concepts in Fashion and Beauty Event

by Keisha Jo

The Urban Enterprise Network event looked at ‘Changing concepts’, which was an  informative debate, which aimed to both assess and celebrate the current and developing trends in the capital’s influential hair, cosmetic and fashion industries.  In recognition of the continued emergence of ‘natural’ styles and products, the discussion focused on;

•    Whether the trend for natural styles in hair, beauty and fashion is fairly reflected in the popular media?
•    How is the industry responding to these trends? What are the implications for suppliers, practitioners and stylists?

The panel featured popular journalist, Hannah Pool, who is widely known for her ‘Life in Black’ column in the Guardian, and has written many articles which provide quality coverage of the hair and cosmetic industries within the UK and beyond these shores and Shevelle Rhule, Fashion and Beauty Editor at PRIDE Magazine who offered her extensive insight, drawing on the essential experience and knowledge from the UK’s leading magazine for women of colour.

Both Hannah and Shevelle were wonderful on the panel and were a joy to meet. They are both naturals who had worn their hair straight for the day. Hannah shared her styling secret was to attend Ethiopian Salons.

I was asked to give a brief chat on why British Curlies was created and soon found myself speaking quite passionately on my own personal struggle which led to the creation of British Curlies.

The day was a great day of sharing personal stories and meeting our own emerging UK bloggers who are growing from strength to strength in establishing their voice's on issues affecting natural hair in the UK and it was refreshing to meet our local heroines! Angel from the Natural Hair Lounge was there and it was a delight to spend time with her.

For that afternoon it was a moment of celebration for being natural and it was so great to be in a room where the majority was natural and proud to be! A big thank you to the event organiser
Jeffrey Lennon, the Director of the Urban Enterprise Network and for the photos courtesy of Urban Enterprise Network and Terri Lee-Shield Photography.