History of Hair

Brief History

Ancient Egyptians removed body hair for cleanliness and wore wigs to protect themselves from the weather.

Long hair represented strength.

Round heads and cavaliers. Two different ‘tribes’ that had different hair. Long and short.

King Charles II long hair.

Rich and favoured hair became larger, hair played a large part in social status. The higher and bigger the hair the higher up the social class you were since the poor people could not afford people to do their hair.

Emilie Pankhurst set up suffragettes.

Look at votes for women. Women had no equal rights until the 1920’s.

1910 at Epson darby.

They were arrested and put into prison for actively protesting for women’s rights.

In the First World War the male jobs were taken on by women while the men went to war so the perception of women and their capabilities changed.

1920’s

No women ever wore short hair before the 1920’s, ladies hairdressing became more common to have a shorter hair cut since the 18th century.

When women started cutting their hair it was considered shocking especially by older women. Which then meant that it was the depiction of youth at the time to have short hair since older women were so against it.

Louise brooks- was an influencial 1920’s figure.

Women were even fired for their short hair. This is when the term flapper came into use meaning a young bird flapping their wings as this was how they looked when they danced.

The fashions moved on throughout the 20’s and since the film industry became popular the celebrities and film stars were copied instead of the royals for the first time.

Men

Facial hair was popular for men during this time.

All soldiers were ordered to have a moustache until 1916, Neville creedy shaved his off and changed the rules so men then removed their moustaches.

Before 1916 they did not have moustaches.

No moustache was then frowned upon massively in certain circles.

There were accessories available for moustaches.

Industrial revolution

50s

Americans started the teddy boy trend- everything was seen as better in America since the austerity of the war in England.

Decade of American rock and roll- elvis presely, james dean in film.

1960s

American civil rights movement banned the discrimination of race etc.

Vietnam war

Unruly length of hair was opposing the military haircut.

Hair reflected the rebellion of teenagers.

1967 summer of love festivals.

Hippy movement began to creep in from san Francisco flowers in hair.

Time of free love heading into 70s.

Hair musical 1979 was a film made of it relationship between hair and cultural belief - showing everything introduced in late 60s- caused lots of controversy.

Marsha hunt 1968 Queen magazine first African American model in the 60’s.

1970s

Mens facial hair was back in fashion with long hair long sideburns and handle bar moustaches.

Farrah Fawcett Majors- hairstyle was iconic.

Joanna Lumley hair was also copied when she played a character in avengers.

Also had the skin heads who rebelled against the long hair- they depicted their aggression through their hair cut by doing the opposite to what the mainstream were doing.

Pat Evans 70s supermodel rebelled against the white values and white look so she shaved her hair.

Continued to work through wearing wigs.

Late 70s punk came about through makeup and fashion through influential people like Viviane Westwood.

1980s

New romantics look with curly perm and lots of hair.

Indian policemen are payed to grow a moustache as it is believed they are more authoritive if they have facial hair. Bollywood film stars and cricket team don’t tend to have facial hair however it is seen as that the men have lots of testosterone if they can grow a beard.

Extensions

African women began using extensions.

In Europe we are using the hair extension, very little is payed to the donors and companies charge a massive mark up.

Untreated blonde hair was once more expensive than gold.

Feminine Body hair

Hair removal is a massive business.

Body hair has become especially in men less attractive.

1800s painting depicts women with no body hair. Did they remove their hair? Recipes for hair removal involving alkaline were found with arsenic and quick lime dictating when the skin feels hot wash quickly with water to prevent the skin falling off.

21st century

In an effort to blend in with the bearded afgan men beards are being worn by units in Afghanistan and to fit in with the afgan men.

Stubble is not allowed in the Danish army.

Helps break down the cultural barriers between the men.

Afgan men see red hair as a sign of bravery.

In Asian and arab countries they allow beards because of their religious beliefs.

All Images: Corson, R. (2001). Fashions in hair: The First Five Thousand years. 2 ed. London: Peter Owen Publishers.