This NYFW was all about fluidity, and the sleek runway hairstyles showcased the versatility of all that hair can become. For Jonathan Simkhai, fluidity played many parts in the intricate aspects of both his runway designs, and the styling that takes place behind the scenes. Backstage, hairstylist Odile Gilbert worked to create two incredible styles with the help of TRESemmé. For Rodarte, Odile created The Gothic Fairy; and for Jonathan Simkhai, she created The Sleek Side Part.
Not Your Mother’s just celebrated the launch of their newest innovations with a private VIP styling appointment at Dop Dop Salon in Manhattan.
On Saturday, June 25th, Founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products, Jesseca Harris-Dupart, accomplished an industry first by setting the Guinness World Record title for the largest donation of haircare products in 24 hours.
The brand collaborated with Harlem Pride during their 13th annual Celebration Day, alongside prominent guests including Mayor Eric Adams, to unveil this incredible activation on stage to a crowd of more than 20,000 attendees from across the country.
Prior to the celebration, we had an opportunity to speak with Jessica Harris-Dupart about how Kaleidoscope Hair Products came to be and its continued growth in the hair care space.
The Knockturnal: As the first black, openly gay founder in the multicultural hair space — How do you think your identity has influenced the impact you’ve made in this space?
Jesseca Harris- Dupart: It’s not like I went into this like “Hey, let me be the first!” I have just been very transparent about who I am and I hope my journey and my life can show everybody that they can do anything. You don’t have to stay within the guidelines of what people try to make you. Whoever you are, whoever you love, whatever you do, you can be successful.
The Knockturnal: What motivated your desire to enter the hair care space?
Jesseca Harris- Dupart: I was a hairstylist for over 20 years and one of my clients cheated on me and went to another hairstylist. She ended up having a bald spot in the center of her head from a ponytail install and bobby pins. It made me want to find a solution; I wanted to be able to fix this. From then on, I started exploring what that would look like. I started speaking to chemists and I never expected it to be from behind a chair, I never expected to retire. God just had a different story for me.
The Knockturnal: What are 2 of your best selling products from the Kaleidoscope Hair Product line?
Jesseca Harris- Dupart: Currently, it would be the Original Miracle Drops which is a light hair treatment and the Pecan Pie Growth Booster Oil. Both products are our top growth boosting agents.
After declaring the Guinness World Record title, Jesseca and leaders from Harlem Pride spoke to the impact this donation will have in the community, followed by a surprise performance from Jesseca’s new wife, Atlanta hip-hop legend Da Brat.
Function of Beauty has changed the way we buy haircare yet again! They’ve recently launched their customizable shampoo and conditioner in Target. With Function of Beauty now entering the retail world, customized luxe haircare is more accessible than ever.
Christian Siriano and Justine Marjan Slay with Sleek and Colorful Ponytails at NYFW.
Curlfest Atlanta 2019
BOLD. BRIGHT. BEAUTIFUL.
Bold describes the attitudes, personalities and spirits of those in attendance. Bright describes the colors in the fashions, and the looks in the eyes of those there. Beautiful describes every single person that was in attendance! On Saturday, September 21, 2019 I had a chance to attend Curlfest Atlanta. With this wonderful tour, of a celebration of being your own unique self and embracing your curls, being in Atlanta, GA for the first time, as expected the turnout was amazing!
Curly Girl Collective, which is a group of five women celebrating authenticity and being your natural self, started in 2014. The five founders are Melody Henderson, Simone Mair, Charisse Higgins, Gia Lowe, and Tracey Coleman. Sitting on the stage rocking beautiful cloths and amazing hairstyles, the group discussed what it meant to start Curly Girl Collective and Curlfest. It was explained that it does not mean just rocking your natural girls but just being comfortable in the skin you are in and being your true authentic self, regardless of what that looks like. Curlfest was created with little black girls in mind to have positive images and celebrating just that!
There were vendors from all over, collectively in Candler Park to offer things from hair care, hair accessories, fashions and finances. The list of vendors included Aunt Jackie’s, Cantu, Fro Babies, Chase Bank, Target, Soap and many other local artists and seamstress who were displaying their appreciation for culture and all that they had to offer. Seeing all the beautiful melanated people gathered in one positive space celebrating each other brings one word to mind… UNITY!
I truly enjoyed sharing space and my afternoon with everyone who attended Curlfest Atlanta 2019. I racked up on so many goodies for my family and me and look forward to being in attendance again next year!
Written By: Whitney J. (@__whitney.j)
On Saturday, September 7th, Son Jung Wan held her NYFW runway show at Spring Studios. We got to go backstage with sponsor, Gamma+, a haircare tool company.
In the middle of summer, with humidity and flash rain storms threatening any attempt at a hairstyle, Toka Salon became my savor.
On Thursday, April 25th Indique held a reception to share the exciting launch of the iKhanic collection by Chaka Khan. Longtime friend and hairstylist George Fuller, Chaka Khan, and Indique collaborated and created exclusive Indique pieces inspired by her iconic looks.
On February 11th, 2019 Tresemmé NYFW stylist, Odile Gilbert, showed us her take on “fresh” natural hair styling on a variety of textures for the Carolina Herrera AW’19 fashion show.