Hair was in the air
Event braided diversity, education, creativity
By Bill Beene
Of the St. Louis American
Suited and booted black folks, some with cocked caps and bandanas – strutting into Union Station?
What happened to the no-bandana, no-cocked caps rule? Apparently, it isn’t pinned to private events in the mall’s Hyatt Regency Hotel ball and meeting rooms, where Gateway to Diversity’s “It’s All About Hair” events were held Sunday and Monday.
The Gateway Hair Showcase piece on Sunday also had fashion-forward folks topping off their ‘fits with wild and haute wraps and hats, but most (models, patrons and presenters) rocked some of St. Louis’s trendiest and funkiest head-turning hairstyles.
Union Station’s rule was out of everyone’s hair for the night, but humorous commentator and educator Mechelene Barber announced that the show’s co-producer Steve Lacy would now be in everyone’s hair.
That’s because Lacy, a veteran barber, received his cosmetology license on Friday, the day before he set off his popular annual birthday party at Seven.
With that additional haircare skill in his hand came the announcement that Lacy is taking on the name Christopher Stevens as a cosmetologist, keeping Steve Lacy as his barber moniker.
“It’s to give some variation and distinction, and it’s sort of a marketing move,” Lacy said.
Many nationally known celebrity stylists adopt more chic and ringing names to help them stand out, Lacy said.
Lacy – I mean, Christopher – showcased his new cosmetology skills during Sunday’s Hair Showcase to thunderous applause.
His do’s were swing bob (hair a little shorter in the back than on the sides), inverted bob (hair a lot shorter in the back than on the sides) and dimensional coloring.
According to featured stylist and educator Patric Bradley (who goes by Patric Antonio when he’s doing makeovers) the bob is back like reasonable gas prices.
Heading back with the bob is the creative mohawk and mullet, according to educators at the workshop.
Another new trend those taking classes learned is the use of a cutting razor opposed to shears, as demonstrated in class and on the runway by Donnal Chung of Donnal’s Hair Studio in Clayton.
Chung was a featured stylist during the hairshow (where he performed a 30-minute style with a razor) and an educator in one of the classes on Monday.
The razor is better than the shears because it gives the hair more movement and flexibility, Dasha (owner of Selah Salon and Day Spa) said while taking Donnal’s class.
The events’ elated co-producer Corvonne White said, “We wanted to let them know that knowledge is empowering. When they get back to their salons, they can use a new technique with razors or new coloring technique that’s going to redirect and allow them to build their ticket and make more money.”
While making more money is a charm, prize money wasn’t part of the hair showcase. Stylists sold tickets to the show instead of forking out an entrance fee.
“It wasn’t about money, it was all about hair, White said. “We showcased new talents, people that have been out of school for two years, six years and 20 years. They were showcased, featured and honored.”
Jimell Jones, a stylist Serenity MYO and educator for Mizani added, “We can’t do all the hair that’s in front of our chairs so competition is non-existent, but we have to rejuvenate one another and keep the industry going.”
While the hair showcase wasn’t a competition, it was electric with very high-energy. Stylists, in their presentations, performed skits and runway routines.
Michelle Ashwood, a stylist at Lacy’s Steven’s Style Center, showcased her models with a dating game sketch. Models’ hairstyles were revealed after a man chose one and was introduced to the others to see what he missed.
Brandon Williams of 911 Hair Salon did a sketch of an awards show that featured Destiny’s Child and Missy Elliott.
But, like the theme, the show was all about hair, which many stylists in the audience said they could appreciate.
Jones wrapped it up best, saying, “The focus was on the hair instead of fashion. A lot of times we have models that wear very few clothes and people look at that instead of the hair.”
Felicia Bowdry of Resultz hair salon in the extended Loop craved for hairstyles to be done onstage instead of pre-styled, but said the show was well put together. Her thing was the informative workshops.
The weekend did, however, bestow local awards. Awardees were Everette Johnson (Trailblazer, Diva Salon), Gwen Bonds (Ambassador Shear Magic) and Louise Holland (Lifetime Achievement, Elaine Stevens Beauty College). State Beauty and Chung received recognition plaques.
The event itself reached a milestone as Lacy and White laid eyes on their vision of diversity.
“Until this event, it’s been separated,” White said.
“It’s been a white thing, black thing and a Chinese thing, but very seldom do you see us all coming together. It doesn’t matter what color the educator is, it doesn’t matter what color the client is. It’s all about hair.”
Except natural hair, which was not represented.
“That’s something we’re going to have to get better with, because natural hairstyles are now overwhelming in our market,” Jones said. “We need to stop the separation.
Natural haircare stylist and Natural Uhuru salon owner Natural, who is planning a show agreed, said, “Putting the two together is innovation because, like they say, it’s all about hair.”
