How did hairstyles change through history

It can sometimes seem that fashion trends change like the wind. From one season to the next haircuts can come and go, and something that is considered chic and cutting edge one minute can the next be considered tired and dated. Like clothing, hairstyles have changed considerably throughout history and often reflect changes going on in society.

Stepping back in time

The Venus of Brassempouy, an ivory figurine which dates back around 25,000 years is one of the earliest known representations of a human face. It appears to show a woman with straight and neat locks, rather than wild and untamed hair that you might have expected to see on an individual from this period. Some say the item is evidence of the importance humans have placed on hair and style since prehistoric times.

Making a statement

Hair is a powerful tool for humans and can be used to make bold statements about our personality, or even our intentions. Consider for a moment the striking, and some would say aggressive, look of the Mohawk hairstyle favoured by punks. In the 1970s and 80s in Britain the classic Mohawk was certainly in vogue with certain members of society and even decades later in 2001, footballer David Beckham sported one. The power such a hairstyle has is evidenced by the actions of police in Indonesia who raided a punk-rock concert in 2011, arrested 65 people, and proceeded to shave off their mohawks.

The height of fashion

Styling of the hair is said to be one of the things that sets humans apart from the animal kingdom, and there is no doubt that Marie Antoinette was looking to say something when she took on the look created for her by her stylist Léonard Autie. She made the pouf hairstyle popular – a look which required plenty of time and patience to create, could reach dizzying heights and could even be personalised to include ornaments and decorations from animals to ships, as well as fruit and vegetables.

Making a different kind of statement

At the other end of the scale to the pomp and audacious creations pioneered in 18^th century France is the skinhead look, which took hold in the 1960s in Britain. Close-cropped or shaven heads were a mark of a subculture popularised by working class youths of the time. Shaven heads have also been the mark of other groups, for example Buddhist monks. In this instance, a shaven head is a sign that the person has made a commitment to a way of life.   

Reimagining hair

The conservatism of the post-war period in the 50s and early 60s was just a distant memory once the sixties really got going. The Beatles' appearance on the US television during The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 attracted an audience of 73 million and brought the moptop haircut to the world. It became a symbol of youthfulness and fashion, and while there may still be disagreement about exactly how they came to adopt the hairstyle and who gave the band the inspiration to change their look, there's little doubt about the impact that the moptop had on popular culture in countries all around the world.         

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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