Here’s What Wrong With ‘Vogue’ Calling Nori A Hair ‘Icon’
Photo: WENN
Immediately when I read Vogue.com‘s headline “How North West’s Curly Styles Are Inspiring a Generation of Natural Hair Girls” I cringed.
As a child, my tightly coiled hair was a challenge for my mother. Black and curly, every other day she walked the line between my tender-headedness and her desire to make me look put together. Those years in kindergarten where I insisted in playing the sandbox with abase knowing she’d have to wash my hair that night, were the worst. She told me herself.
Eventually, like many other black children, she put in a perm to ease the process of styling my hair and because—frankly—to fit in. You see, being a black child with nappy hair was not the status quo pre-2000s. Having a presence in the Americas for centuries still did not disenchant white folks from being alarmed/intrigued/curious/dismayed by our hair.
It certainly wasn’t fashionable.
So clearly, I began my dissent into this story with baggage. You know, from the 27 or so years of uneasiness. Should I go natural? What does my real texture look like? Braids? No, too ethnic for this job. How can I feel good about my hair and not be exoticized like a zoo animal in a work environment full of white folks?
And so I read. The author, Marjon Carlos, essentially is bigging up North West—mixed race daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian—for wearing her hair the way it comes out of her head thus inspiring other babies, like her said niece, to do the same.
An excerpt from “How North West’s Curly Styles Are Inspiring a Generation of Natural Hair Girls” on Vogue.com:
Whether a top bun or a comb-over, North’s pint-sized hair styles complement her fashion-forward play clothes, while remaining refreshingly easy and age-appropriate. They’ve established little Nori as a kind of hair icon for a nascent and diverse generation of tots rocking their natural curls with unprecedented flair—among them, my two-year-old niece, Isabel.
Like Nori, Isabel (affectionately known as “Izzy B”) sprouts an enviable festoon of curls that are a reflection of her biracial background: Her mother is of Russian-Jewish descent and her father is African-American. Ever the hands-on “fashion auntie,” I’ve happily assisted Izzy’s mom with styling her little corkscrews, passing along a long familial tradition of black hair care that emphasizes detangling and moisture. When my sister-in-law doubted her ability to skillfully do her daughter’s hair on a daily basis, I offered encouragement: as I wrote here before, she is not alone in wanting to bring out the natural beauty of her mixed-race child.
My best friend recently lamented to me about something she’s encountered while dating. She said, “Men will ask me all the time if I’m mixed with something.” Adding, “And when I say ‘No. I’m fully African American… just black.’ They seemed disappointed. As if me being mixed with something would make me more attractive, more exotic.”
My question to the author, who has newfound interest in black hair, is what about Blue Ivy? What about Willow Smith as a baby? Hell, what about Rudy Huxtable (Keshia Knight Pulliam) who wore her hair natural for years—even to this day?
It’s funny how fashion is. One day something is in, one day it’s out. And with the ever expanding and diverse world we live in, where Caucasians have interest in the black experience and those in fashion have to acknowledge us in every facet of life, these anomalies become more present. And beauty—in their eyes—comes in the form of things or people they identify themselves in. It has to relate or it isn’t relevant.
So now that Timberlands, cornrows, baby hair and — the new addition — natural hair are “in”, they’re the new fads. Something for us black folk to get excited about. Finally, validation. What we’ve always wanted from our culturally inept and ignorant fellow Americans.
Curls. “New” curls. What a lovely concept. Who knew?!
The post Here’s What Wrong With ‘Vogue’ Calling Nori A Hair ‘Icon’ appeared first on StyleBlazer.
Prepare to be blown away by Cleva Music/C.M’s latest hit, “Steppa Dreams.” With an astounding 4 million streams in just one week across all platforms, this track is setting the industry on fire. CM’s confident assertion, “People feel my shit,” reflects the undeniable connection he has with his audience. His distinctive sound and infectious lyrics have garnered him global attention, establishing him as a frontrunner in the music scene. With each release, CM pushes the boundaries of creativity, redefining what it means to be a true artist. His unwavering dedication and passion shine through in every note, leaving fans eager for more. As “Steppa Dreams” continues to soar, it’s clear that this rising star is destined for greatness, and the world eagerly awaits his next move.
The Genesis of a Brand: A Personal Story Through Music
The brand an artist creates is often a tapestry woven from their personal stories. For Deja Destinée, her name carries a legacy and an inspiration that fuels her artistic presence. “Deja Destiny is destiny… My first name was by my sister… Named after Tyra Banks’ character in Higher Learning… Destiny was named by my grandmother before I was born,” she recounts. This personal lineage adds depth to her music and offers her audience a piece of her narrative, creating a genuine connection that transcends the rhythms and lyrics.
In the music industry, the background behind a name often holds a significant weight, and Deja’s is intertwined deeply with her familial ties. Her music doesn’t just offer sound; it provides listeners with resonance, a shared experience that taps into the emotional fabric of the listener. This personal touch has become a beacon for her brand and her music, positioning her as an artist with a story to tell, a history to honor, and a future to shape.
Commanding the Stage: Performance as a Reflection of the Artist
A major theme from the discussion centered around Deja’s approach to performance. Stating that music comes as “first nature,” it’s evident that her on-stage persona is where she truly shines. Describing her performances, Deja says, “I give a lot of cocky energy. When I get on the stage, I usually bring my dancers, I have, you know, the flashy custom outfits… it makes them feel good, and for it to make them feel like they really that b\*\*\*h.”
This attitude exemplifies the confidence and showmanship that Deja brings to her craft, setting her apart in a crowded industry. The energy of a live performance, where the artist and audience feed off each other’s enthusiasm, is particularly crucial for Deja. Each show becomes an intimate conversation between them, a shared moment of empowerment and celebration of talent. It’s in these details that Deja’s commitment to her artistry, and her desire to elevate the music experience, shines brightest.
A Nexus of Creativity: Beyond Music
During the conversation, it became apparent that Deja is not content with being pigeonholed as just a musician. With interests in acting and entrepreneurship, such as her unique skincare line *Co-Skin*, she relays, “I do hair, I do makeup, I have my own like, skincare line doing shea butter… It’s so many things that I feel like I can tap into.”
Her tenacity to take on multiple creative endeavors showcases not only her talent but her understanding of the importance of diversification in a modern artist’s career. Deja leverages her platform in music to venture into other areas of interest, broadening her reach and solidifying her presence both in and out of the music world. This blend of artistry and enterprise spotlights a new generation of artists who are as business-minded as they are creative, indicative of the changing tides within the industry.
The Future Sounds of Success: Deja’s Continual Growth
As the conversation turned towards future prospects, Deja Destinée laid out her vision of evolving within the industry and her plans to be a game-changer. With new music on the horizon, including the engagingly titled single “ATE”, and a role in the upcoming film premiere set for June 6th at Newark Cinema, Deja’s grind is relentless.
Echoing her earlier sentiments on the significance of grinding, she reiterates, “To work and put in the work… when you don’t want to do it, put in the work then, too, because in the end, it’s gonna pay off.” It’s with this unwavering dedication and drive that Deja Destinée forges ahead, paving her path with an unshakeable belief in her art and her ability to influence the industry.
Deja’s narrative is one that is building upon the foundations of authenticity, perseverance, and an uncompromising vision for what she wants to achieve. With a solid grounding in the values instilled in her name and approach to music, the future beckons with infinite possibilities, each one an opportunity to further the imprint of Deja Destinée on the world.
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