Jawara

The way Jawara Wauchope – who goes by the mononym Jawara – approaches the hairstyles he creates is like a sculptor, or even an architect. With a knack for manipulating both European and Afro hair textures, his gravity-defying structures and bursts of colour have seen him work with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Hood By Air, and of course Dazed, having styled fellow Dazed 100-er Shanelle’s hair for her Spring issue cover. He’s also Solange’s go-to stylist; the pair have teamed up for her Grammy’s look, the ash blonde afro look she debuted for her Calvin Klein campaign, and naturally, her recent Dazed cover.

Despite being born in New York, and now residing in London’s Brixton, it was Jawara’s childhood in Jamaica that proved to be a major inspiration for his work, where he saw his aunty create dancehall looks in salons. Bringing this heritage to the contemporary fashion world, Jawara’s output seeks to constantly encourage conversation about the standards of beauty and diversity in fashion through hair. Although as some of his stunning sculptural creations prove, his work is beyond hair – it’s art.

Kemi Alemoru