Paris has over 13 million inhabitants and forms a multicultural society. It is also the largest city in France and the ninth largest city in Europe, which is mentioned in the same breath as cities such as London, New York and Tokyo. Paris is also seen as the heart of culture for Europe and the world. For the French too, Paris – as a crossroads of trade routes and international orientation – is a meeting place where all sorts of things happen.
Ten years ago, Salon Boucles D'Ebene was the first organization to start a kinky hair show. The intention was to make women's hair issues discussable and to promote the beauty of natural hair. The show has grown into a platform for black entrepreneurs to share their inventions in the field of hair, fashion and food nutrition with the general public.
On 30, 31 May and 1 June 2015, the largest natural hair show in Europe will take place in this melting pot of cultures. This year, the slogan for the fifth edition is “Love is in the (h)air”. Hair – in particular natural hair – is big business and covers a market that is larger than just good hair products and a good hairdresser. The organisers of this annual event recognise and endorse the need to delve deeper and broader into hair and have put together an extensive and varied programme for visitors. They will not only let top hairdressers and make-up artists speak, but also experts who will provide insights from a scientific approach. Simultaneously with the exhibition, there will be workshops and lectures – the central subject – from different angles by, among others: Rokhaya Diallo and Kim Consigny, Alphonse Tierou, Dioulde Chartier and Siga Diagoura, Patricia Pasant, Juliette Smeralda, Mireille Liong A Kong, Alice Zaguri and Michael Kamden.
Rokhaya Diall o opens the series of presentations. She uses her position as a journalist and well-known Frenchwoman – of Senegalese, Gambian descent – for radio and television, film director and writer to address discrimination, racism, secularization and gender issues. DialloShe is seen as the 36th of the 100 most influential French people and is, according to the British Powerful media, one of the 30 most influential black people. With the documentary Les Marches of Freedom she won an Award for the best documentary at the Festival of Guadeloupe. She The journalist has several publications to her name. She wrote the book Pari(s) d'amies together with Kim Consigny; with whom she often presents during the hair show. Her website is: http://www.rokhayadiallo.com/biography/
Alphonse Tierou comes from Ivory Coast where he studied in Abidjan at the National Institute of Arts. He did research on the oral tradition of the Quenon people; to whom he belongs. Tierou is the first to put this information in writing. In his book The Eternal law of African Dance he describes the movements, codes and meaning of traditional African dance. His book is a contribution to the international cultural wealth. He is the founder of Centre Doople, Academie de Danse Africaine in Paris; where you can learn not only choreography and dance but also costumes, sets, sculptures, masks and the use of the human body. More on his website: http://www.tierou-doople.com/
Dioulde Chartier and Siga Diagoura are both researchers at D'Cap research, an agency that focuses on qualitative and market research and strategic policy. Siga Diagoura focused her research on the representation of beauty in black women and the return of the afro and the revaluation of natural beauty.
Patricia Paisant works for Laboratoire Europeen de Recherche et d'Exploitation Complements Alimentaire, which deals with food supplements, among other things. In her presentation, she focuses on the influence of pollution of nature on our health in relation to beauty. She has several publications to her name.
Juliette Smeralda is French, PhD in Sociology, lecturer at the University of the French West Indies and Guyane. As a researcher she is also affiliated with Laboratory Ceregmia. She has written several articles on relaxers and the book “Peau Noir, Cheveux Crepu, L'Histoire d'une alienation”. In her presentation entitled “Beaute et estimede soi” she discusses self-esteem and beauty and combing children's hair with pleasure. More about this sociologist: http://www.juliettesmeralda.com/biographie.html
Mireille Liong A Kong studied ICT in Amsterdam. She is the founder of “Going Natural .com and kroeshaar.com” and the author of the best-selling book on Amazon.com “How to fall in love with nappy hair.” She speaks about social inequality and the transition to natural hair. She is at the fair with her exhibition “Bad hair at its best”. With this exhibition and the beauty pageant “America's Next Natural Model” she is an ambassador who persistently promotes the beauty of natural hair.
Alice Zaguri is the founder of “The Family”, a place where starting entrepreneurs – in Paris – in particular women and minorities are given the space to develop themselves and develop their business. Zaguri's organization aims to contribute to improving and strengthening the education system and a more attractive business climate in France. She will talk about economic development opportunities for women.
Michael Kamden is affiliated with the European Women's Studies Bank. He has published, among other things, “Egalite des chances” and will give his view on equal rights for women.
Fatou NDiaye – model of Senegalese origin – who was discovered by Olivier Toscani of Benetton makes her appearance. She received an Award for the “Best Performance by an actress in a leading role”.
Other specializations in the field of hair, hair products, make-up and related matters will be discussed by Angela Plummer from Great Britain, who is known for her special way of braiding; Sephora Joannes, who gives traditional hairstyles a contemporary twist, inspired by peoples such as the Fulani, Masai, Ethiopia and Martinique; and Jamadl Lioness and Missoro, who focus on head wrapping; Sarr Fatou (True Colors make-up), Deshonica Kerrie (stylist design Essential), Nadeen Mateky (hairdresser and make-up artist), Jamilah Anderson and Zachary Amougou (Salon Essations), Peter Mbafor from the brand Avlon from the UK. Furthermore, exhibitors, actors and other artists from the Afro-Caribbean scene will make their contribution.
The organization has chosen the Centquatre – Paris as the stage for this spectacle of beauty from – what they call – the diaspora. This location was specially created and is suitable for artistic promotions in the fields of theatre, dance, music, cinema, video, culinary, digital and urban arts. It offers space for permanent exhibitions but also for temporary productions, performances and audiences from all over the world.
When putting together the program and selecting the speakers, the organizers – like expert stylist Deshonica Kerrie – must have thought “Beauty is not just the hair or the make up, it is a complete look coming from the inside out”.
When Mireille asked me to write about Paris and the fair, I put my first column for kroeshaar.com aside. While reading, I became more and more enthusiastic and my feeling said: 'You have to be there.' In 1992, long before the natural hair movement, I had my hair shaved off. I still remember the moment when the hairdresser said: 'Now you can still go back.' I replied: 'All off.' I wanted to get rid of the restlessness that made me wear a different haircut every six weeks. For years I had a short, buzzed cut that I enjoyed very much. I didn't have much work to do and enjoyed my wash and go's or swim and go's hair that always looked good. The sun's rays, raindrops and wind were wonderful, directly on and around my crown. Now, 15 years later, I'm letting my hair grow again. I have to get used to my new look.
It is funny to see that my environment now, just like then, reacts differently to my hairstyle. In steps and with great care I slowly build a relationship and I love my longer hair more and more. In the beginning my closet was bulging with products that I wanted to try. Now I am calmer and take the time to delve into shampoos and conditioners. With every wash, feeling, talking to and looking at my hair is part of the treatment. I practice with different hairstyles and enjoy the compliments that I receive. To the comment: 'Saang your hair has become long, what are you doing with it?' my answer is always: 'Lobi, I give it lobi.'
“Lobi” I will bring and pick up together with Mireille, Doreen and Sherlon in this city of light and love so beautifully sung by Kenny B.
See also: Antillean and Surinamese representation in Paris
In case you missed the party at the Melkweg, here's the video for Kenny B's double platinum hit Paris.