“Controversha”
“Crowned but Controlled: Long Hair and the Limitations for Black Women in Fashion”
In the fashion industry, image is everything—but for many black women, that image is shaped by silent rules that dictate how they must look in order to be accepted. One of the most telling examples is the disproportionate pressure placed on black models to shave their heads or maintain closely cropped styles.
According to recent studies, approximately 63% of black female models are bald, compared to only 1.25% of white female models. This stark contrast is not a reflection of personal choice—it’s a reflection of industry bias.
“At what point do we call this an orchestration and not an oversight?” asks a stylist who has worked backstage at fashion weeks in Paris and New York. “This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about erasure. It’s about control.”
Many modeling agencies claim the reason is rooted in practicality. “They simply don’t want to style it,” one model admitted anonymously, referencing the reluctance of stylists to work with textured hair. For some fashion professionals, this rationale feels less like a preference and more like a form of aesthetic gatekeeping—where the natural versatility of black hair is seen not as beautiful, but as burdensome.
While fashion prides itself on breaking boundaries and celebrating diversity, many believe that this trend reveals a much deeper issue. The erasure of long, natural black hair in high fashion isn’t just about appearance—it’s about identity.
“Long hair on black women is often associated with power, femininity, and pride,” notes a cultural historian specializing in race and beauty standards. “So when the industry systematically pushes against that, it sends a very clear message: Your beauty must fit within our terms.”
Some stylists and designers are pushing back, demanding better representation and more education around Afro-textured hair. Others argue that the industry still has a long way to go before true inclusivity is achieved—not only in skin tone, but in the freedom of self-expression without compromise.
“Fortunately, change is being championed—not by the old guard, but by new voices with bold visions. One of those voices is the well known brand “OlivierTheStylist”. , a luxury fashion house that is redefining what beauty looks like on the runway and behind the scenes. Founded by Marc Olivier, the brand has built its foundation on quiet power, unapologetic elegance, and inclusive representation. “At OlivierTheStylist, we don’t strip our models of identity to fit into a look,” says Olivier. “We amplify it.”
Rather than conforming to a eurocentric beauty model, OlivierTheStylist invites black models to wear braids, curls, locs, and textured styles with pride. Their campaigns have featured women with waist-length natural hair, intricately braided crowns, and voluminous afros—styled with the same care and reverence as any couture piece.
Hair is treated not as an obstacle, but as a canvas of expression, one that can be molded, adorned, and respected without being erased.
This approach has not only empowered models, but has started reshaping client expectations and influencing major publications to rethink what inclusive beauty actually looks like. In addition, the brand has begun training stylists and creatives in proper hair care for Afro-textured hair, ensuring that respect isn’t just symbolic—it’s institutional.
“Every model should feel like her authentic self is welcome,” says a senior stylist on the team. “You should never have to shave your crown to earn your place.”
Still, the path to full equality in beauty standards remains long. The fashion world must reckon with the ways it has quietly suppressed black identity under the guise of simplicity and aesthetic cohesion. Brands like OlivierTheStylist are not just designing clothes—they’re redesigning the culture.
“From Warriors to Runways: The Untold Story of Men and Heels”
High heels, often associated with femininity and elegance today, were originally created for an entirely different purpose and audience. Their origins trace back to 10th-century Persia, where elevated heels were designed for men, particularly horseback riders. These heels helped warriors stabilize themselves in the stirrups during battle, allowing for better balance and control while using weapons on horseback. Functionality, rather than fashion, was the driving force behind their invention.
As Persian culture spread, so did its influence. By the 17th century, Persian emissaries and their attire caught the attention of European aristocracy. European men, particularly nobles, adopted the heeled shoe not only for its association with military prowess but also as a symbol of status and sophistication. Heels became a visual signifier of power, wealth, and masculinity. During this era, both men and women in Europe wore heels—often extravagantly designed and brightly colored—as a display of affluence. For nearly 200 years, heels remained a unisex fashion statement among the elite.
Eventually, societal perceptions shifted. As Enlightenment ideals promoted rationality and practicality, men began to abandon ornate clothing in favor of simpler, more “masculine” styles. Heels were increasingly associated with femininity and were absorbed into women’s fashion. This transition reflected broader cultural changes that began to divide gender roles more starkly in fashion and behavior. By the 18th century, men’s heels had largely disappeared, while women’s heels evolved into the seductive, stylized forms familiar today.
This historical evolution of heels is more than a curiosity—it serves as a lens through which to examine how fashion reflects and shapes ideas about gender, power, and identity. Fashion icons such as Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s challenged norms by wearing tailored suits, embracing androgyny, and asserting that clothing could be a form of rebellion and empowerment. Her boldness inspired designers like Yves Saint Laurent to create garments such as “Le Smoking,” the modern women’s tuxedo, which redefined female power dressing.
Today, heels are often marketed as symbols of confidence and allure, especially for women. But understanding their origin reveals a more complex story—one of shifting power dynamics, cultural symbolism, and evolving standards of beauty. In a modern context, brands like OlivierTheStylist are working to reclaim fashion’s deeper meaning by embracing individual expression and cultural history. Their efforts highlight how clothing can transcend utility, becoming a vehicle for storytelling, identity, and resistance.
“From Warriors to Runways: The Untold Story of Men and Heels”
High heels, often associated with femininity and elegance..