Do you remember seeing Teyonah Parris on the red carpet years ago looking like a complete goddess? Her hair was a moment. I present Exhibit A:
Teyonah Parris red carpet photo via PopSugar.com
This was the SAG Awards in 2013 and I’ll never forget it. That beautiful hairstyle is the main reason I learned who Ms. Parris is. That striking updo me made me look her up. It was such a departure from the usual cascading weaves, wigs, and tracks of the red carpet. Sure, we get an occasional sharp TWA or some locs now and then, but this stood out for being bountiful afro texture in glorious action – sculpted into a soaring crown like I’d not previously seen on any red carpet. The artist behind this beautiful work is Felicia Leatherwood and she is a true craftswoman when it comes to natural hair.
Felicia Leatherwood Photo via felicialeatherwood.com
She is the woman behind many of the natural hairstyles you have likely loved on Hollywood stars. I started following her online after seeing Exhibit B, Issa Rae at the 2017 Golden Globes looking like all my hair dreams wrapped in one package:
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 08: Actress Issa Rae attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Felicia is consistently showing women that what you already have growing out of your head is where magic can begin. Check out this gallery of more of Felicia’s work – it’s a real showcase of natural hair love.
Based in Los Angeles, Felicia travels the world to hosts workshops and panels on natural hair. Having heard feedback from thousands of women with natural hair, she noticed a common theme of women having issues with detangling, so she made the Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush. She is now working on plans to expand distribution of the brush and is also gearing up for Season Two of “Head Cases”, her natural hair docuseries on www.issarae.tv. (Don’t even get me started on Issa Rae…that post will be a novel!).
Hear from Felicia in her own words:
Felicia Portraits featured image via felicialeatherwood.com
