Tuesday 8 October 2013

AFRICA AT SPITALFIELDS


Hi all back again blogging. A few months back a friend of mine thought it would be a great idea to have a stall during the bank holiday weekend in August at Africa at Spitalfields, an African mini market in London. I normally hold, practical classes to teach styling and  how to achieve protective styles (styles that avoid using frequent use of heat) but hair demonstrations on a stall in public with the possibility of 5000 people walking by was quite daunting. This was my second time of demonstrating hair techniques to the passing public. I must say it was quite exciting the many questions and comments. Many people were intrigued and I gave them the opportunity to ask questions as I demonstrated how to achieve styles on a model, some onlookers allowed me to experiment with their hair.


I met Iyabo, one of the funniest ladies you will ever meet. Warm, open minded, and wise beyond her years. Time flew by as I did her hair. Iyabo had shown me a picture on instagram of exactly what she wanted, she was specific about the length, the colour to how thick she wanted her senegalese twists. Iyabo sent these photos almost 5 weeks after I had done her hair. I'm quite pleased as she had been to several occasions, a wedding and had been on holiday to America, so her hair withstood the water.

Iyabo on her wedding day, effortless beauty


Not bad for braids that were installed over a month and have survived styling and water. Three packs of expressions hair extensions used, colour 4, colour 2 and colour 30 for the highlight, it does help that Iyabo is beautiful.

I also met Tobi, she said she rarely had braided styles, but was going on holiday and wanted a stress free look with minimal styling. I noticed her natural hair colour was brown. I told her she would need hair "Expressions" hair extensions in a colour 4. Tobi just like Iyabo had a photo from Instagram ( I really need to join Instagram) and said she wanted "Ghana weaving", it had to be big and it had to be jet black. After numerous suggestions from me to make the cornrows smaller, and change the colour to a deep brown, we agreed on one thing, we decided not to have a side parting, and have the cornrows going all back, referred to as kolese here.  Tobi's last sentence was, "I want it black, and I have never like thin cornrows, so please try and make the cornrows large" I gave in. Tobi definitely knows what suits her.

 
Before Ghana weaving
 
 

 
After Ghana weaving

Africa at Spitalfields was amazing, from the food to the snacks, to the children's play area, to the African drumming workshop to the dancers, I am looking forward to exhibiting next year.

Like Africa at Spitalfield on facebook here
Follow Africa at Spitalfields on twitter here
We are now on Instagram

Call for one of our mobile stylists 07949507271

On a side note, I am so grateful to everyone that reads this blog, and to chose that send questions about their hair, please keep the questions coming, I look forward to it.


5 comments:

  1. Exciting stuff (re:studio space); will stop by next time I am in London for sure. ;-)

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    2. Thankyou!!! Really appreciate it! You must come soon :-)

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  2. you're doing awesome, Mops! Their hair looks amazing!

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    1. Thanks, trying to push boundaries and take people out of their comfort zone :-)

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