By Lauren Harris
In 2012, the first Birmingham Hair Show came to the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. The runway was ablaze with a combination of wild hair creations, riveting demonstrations and a brief fashion show from local designer, Willie Shank. Vendors from the Birmingham area crowded about, selling hand crafted jewelry, makeup and hair products to an astounding turnout of participants.
On Oct.13th The Birmingham Hair Show is returning and its producers are hoping to transform it into a local tradition.
The main goal of the show is to recognize the collaborations between stylists while celebrating the many talents hidden in Birmingham and its surrounding areas. The Birmingham Hair Show showcases styles from salons such as Salon 99, Randall’s Grooming Lounge, and Naturally Yours Salon, proving that there is no reason for the city’s nickname of “Boring-ham” to exist.
Gigi Beasley, the director of this year’s show and a Birmingham native, has worked hard to organize the hair show’s second debut. As a retired stylist, Beasley is also a member of the Birmingham Stylists, an organization with a mission of creating a common platform for Birmingham’s beauty and media industries. The organization connects the disciplines of hairstylists, makeup artists, models, videographers, photographers, event planners and more while creating events that highlight the talents of its members. The Birmingham Stylists organization is also presenting this year’s show.
“I love this industry,” Beasley says, “I like the world of fashion and beauty. So when the opportunity came along to be a part of this group, it wasn’t hard to decide.”
Beasley isn’t the only one excited about the show. Betty Webb, a stylist for 37 years, is looking forward to see the show’s turnout. Webb, also a member of the Birmingham Stylists, has participated in Atlanta’s Bronner Brother’s shows, attended “cut parties”, and has even done consulting work. However, she never had the opportunity to help host a hair show before the first Birmingham Hair Show.
“We have some of the most talented and gifted stylists here [in Birmingham] who are just looking for a stage to shine on,” Webb began, “viewers will see a time capsule of hair and fashion from 1963 to 2013. We are also doing a special commemoration for the civil rights era called ‘Remember the Time’.”
Those who attend the 2013 Birmingham Hair Show can expect to see an array of looks ranging from the beautiful bouffants of the ’60s to the amazing afros of the ’70s and the magnificent mullets of the ’80s.
The Birmingham Hair Show will be held Oct. 13 at the Civil Rights District’s Harambe Room, 1813 4th Avenue North, Birmingham Alabama; doors open at 4p.m. For ticket information call (205) 222-9582, (205) 746-6557, (205) 383-7097, or (205) 356-2206.
