The Inspiration
Buzz off and change your life. People tend to mix up or change their hair in response to big life events, the most
common being the “Break-up” hair. But, have you ever heard of a haircut being the
thing that redefines a person’s life?
This is Ruth Bell, she shaved her head, and her life changed forever.
Image: Ruth Bell
A New Direction
However, In 2015, after modeling for a few year with her identical twin sister, Ruth Bell
got her big break. She was approached to appear in the campaign, with the stipulation
that she buzzed off her hair. She said yes almost immediately. That campaign was for
Alexander McQueen, and hair stylist Paul Hanlon, was given the task of seeing the
shaved head happened. Bell, (whose hair at this point was almost down to her hips)
had her hair pulled back into a ponytail with the hope of chopping it all off in one go,
however due to her hair being so thick, it was impossible and ended up taking a long
time. When it was eventually no longer attached to her head, it was donated to be
made into wigs for pediatric chemotherapy patients. The campaign turned heads and
Ruth Bell sky rocketed from that moment, being picked up for numerous shows in the
upcoming fashion week. Bell was actually approached while working at the Acne show
by other shaved head models who told her she was the reason they had their heads
shaved.
Image: Ruth Bell for Alexander Mcqueen
Bell continues to model professionally until this day and has recently being announced
as the face for Dior and opened their S/S 19 catwalk show, with her still partially
shaved head.
So, although she wasn’t the first to do it, you could definitely say she helped open the
door for female models with buzzed heads on the catwalk;
Dree Hemingway
Model Dree Hemingway, walked for Coach S/S ’19, rocking her newly shaved head.
When asked by US Vogue, why she made the choice to shave her head Hemingway
stated; “My hair was my security blanket, but it was also my girliest aspect. it took my
tomboyishness and made it feminine, I cut off a lot of insecurity in a way. I don’t
compare myself to other girls anymore, which is something I used to do a lot. And it’s
made me really aware of how I treat my body, because I can’t hide behind my hair. I
just take care of myself more. Buzz cut Dree is really happy.”
Marc Jacobs
The Marc Jacobs S/S 19 show featured an array of ‘Candy Land Hair’ in hues of pink
and blue. Guido Palau and Josh Wood of Redken, combined forces to give the models
the pastel hair makeover they needed. They were tasked with not only bleaching and
colouring the hair before styling but making sure each model was unique. This was
made easier by the fact that there were numerous models who had buzzed hair or
were willing to shave it off. This was the first show in which a female model shaving her
head was encouraged or suggested and reminded me of the path that Ruth Bell took.
One of the pre-shaved models was the beautiful, Amira Pinherio, who has had very
short or buzzed hair for the duration of her modelling career. Early this year, Pinherio
was listed as one of the ‘Top 10 New Faces Redefining the Fashion Industry’s Beauty
Standards.’
Personally, I believe it’s refreshing to see the mold of the female model being changed
in parallel with the political and social changes occurring within feminism, as well as
the freedom of self-expression which is supported and encouraged on the current
catwalks. Seeing a model with a shaved head, will go from a trend to a considered
norm within the near future, and leave the door open for the next vision changing trend.
Final Thoughts
So, we have come to the end of the post. This is where I would normally help you out
with some styling tips, but in this case unless you want to brave the shave, I can’t really
help you.
However, after looking at these gorgeous women with their buzzed hair, I will say I am
tempted to do it myself, so if I do, I’ll come back to you!
Words By Billie Eva