The frohawk is one of the most dramatic African American styles. It features voluminous curls and sleek sides. Getting this look can require the use of foam rollers and perm rods. In the 1980s, the neo-soul era was rife with natural-hair trends and many Black barbers had no problem perfecting the fade. Meanwhile, the 90s were the decade for braids and asymmetrical bobs.
The afro was an iconic style during the Civil Rights Movement. The halo of natural hair was left unstraightened and was an anti-establishment symbol. In the 1970s, the afro was popularized by celebrities like Beyonce, who transformed into Foxxy Cleopatra in Goldmember. The afro was also worn by John David Washington in BlacKkKlansman (2018) and Grace Jones.
Black American Styles
Many young Black Americans started ‘froing their hair as a political statement, and their styles soon followed suit. The ‘fro began in New York, where Angela Davis, a UCLA professor and associate of the Black Panther Party, first popularized it. She was a vocal advocate of the aesthetic and connected Black people with the Civil Rights Movement. Her ‘fro was featured in a ‘Wanted’ ad, and became an icon in its own right. The Afro became a symbol of African heritage and rejection of European ideals.
