Before the OJ Simpson trial, Marcia Clark was an ordinary prosecutor with two kids. But during this murder trial, her appearance became an issue; when defense attorney Johnnie Cochran called her hysterical, she publicly condemned sexism.
Last night’s episode of The People v. OJ Simpson
The People v. OJ Simpson demonstrated how misogyny played a significant role in that trial – particularly about OJ’s haircut.
Haircut
At that time, Clark was being targeted by the media, which often made her the target of late-night jokes about her outfits and hairstyle. A jury consultant advised her that her appearance alienated jurors; in response, she sought advice from a professional hairdresser on getting a practical yet professional cut. Allen Edwards gave her shoulder-length curls a trim before dying them auburn for court the next day – much to everyone’s delight! As soon as her new style hit the court, the world applauded.
Last night’s American Crime Story episode, “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.”
“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” chronicled the debilitating experiences Marcia Clark faced as lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case. From wardrobe choices and custody battles with former husbands to having personal details exposed in tabloid reports about her personal life being put front-and-center, it was an intense journey for someone long considered high profile; one aspect, particularly, stood out – Clark’s haircut appeared particularly troubling.
Perm
Perms may bring back memories of tight, ringlet-style curls worn by older female relatives in the 80s; however, they can now be created more creatively – for example, short perms can frame faces and keep them looking sleek and professional. Clark was a mother of two working on the Simpson case when she received her iconic look. The trial took its toll on her hair (it turned into Rick James-esque locks), prompting her to go for straighter style with straighter curls instead. Short perms offer an effortless modern style that’s simple to maintain with the right products. Select a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner with curl-enhancing properties to keep your locks glossy, soft, and bouncy, and use something like TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier as a curl-defining lotion to maintain and protect the waves against humidity.
Bangs
American Crime Story actress Sarah Paulson brought Marcia Clark back into public scrutiny when she played her for FX’s American Crime Story series, yet Clark herself faced intense media scrutiny during O.J. Simpson’s 1995 trial for killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman; media critics attacked Clark over co-counsel Johnnie Cochran by criticizing her hair, clothing, vacation photos with first husband topless on the beach and her request to pay child care costs of two sons of Clark. Clark promised herself she’d leave the courtroom after her trial, yet returned several years later as a legal commentator and mystery writer. Today, she works on court-appointed criminal appeals while planning several books. In this era of rising feminism, her story seems perfect for television adaptation, especially one featuring such strong chemistry between herself and Ryan Murphy’s Chris Darden (an ideal TV star).
Blonde
At one of the world’s highest-profile trials, Marcia Clark was beleaguered by every aspect of the proceedings – perhaps most notably when Sarah Paulson had her perm cut short during the O.J. Simpson trial. Sarah Paulson proved an ideal choice to portray Clark; her performance captured her little-seen vulnerability perfectly on Tuesday night’s episode “Marcia, Marcia,” which focused on Clark’s trial experience and beauty transformation efforts to appeal to jurors and the general public. Though some details in this show might be off (Clark got her hair cut around when her first husband sold nude photos to tabloids), Paulson did an outstanding job portraying how those tight curls might’ve been replaced with straight locks that made Clark look similar to Sigourney Weaver in terms of professional appeal.
