Hair is a sign of the times, a cultural weathervane for the general mood of an era. Compare the decadent, ornamental styles of the late 18th century embellished with jewels and ships to the more austere, unadorned hair of the Victorian years. Men in the 60s and 70s showcased their rebellion against the established through both long hair and skinheads, while the 2020’s lockdown saw the rise of colourful DIY dye jobs and shaved heads as people became desperate for control over something.

Now, a new exhibition in Paris will explore the role hair has played in society for centuries and celebrate it as a vehicle for self-expression. Titled Des Cheveux et des Poils, the art show opens this week (April 5) at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in partnership with beauty company Wella. It will feature over 600 artworks ranging from the 15th century to the present day, including Andy Warhol’s wigs, the first hair dryers with built-in motors, and historical marketing material.

“Hair serves as a reflection of culture and society, revealing much more than just personal style. From political protests to societal norms, hair has also always been a lens to view the state of our world,” Annie Young-Scrivner, CEO of Wella Company tells Dazed. “This show is a grand salute to this amazing industry, and we are honoured to be the partner to shed light on how hair has been such a magical influence through history.”

The exhibition will cover different themes, from the evolution of feminine hairstyles as a social indicator and marker of identity, to tracing the changing popularity of facial hair, to exploring the choice of keeping or eliminating body hair. Through representation of nude bodies in visual arts and written testimonials, the show demonstrates how rare hairiness is in ancient paintings through to modern-day pop culture. 

Also explored in the exhibition will be the work and talents of iconic figures in the industry like Léonard Autier, the favourite hairdresser of Marie Antoinette, Alexandre de Paris and Wella Company’s founder. “Franz Ströher was ahead of his time, regularly travelling to Paris to stay abreast of the latest beauty trends and seek inspiration. One such trip resulted in the development of a popular wave-setting technique and product line, solidifying our place as a leader in the hair care industry,” Young-Scrivner says.

If you are a hair history fanatic but can’t make it to Paris in time, the Baltimore Museum of Art is opening an exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop. As part of the exhibition, some of Lil Kim’s trademark wigs will be on display including the iconic turquoise wig emblazoned with the Chanel logo.

Des Cheveux et des Poils is open from April 5 to September 17 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Find out more information here.