Throughout history, hairstyles have conferred status. Cleopatra wore elaborate braids; Marie-Antoinette’s contemporaries competed to pile their hair outrageously high; punk fashion made a fetish of spiked and dyed hair. Hair expresses our individuality, and fashion designers, photographers, and style gurus love its infinite possibilities.
This book celebrates the art of hair. From African tribal fashions to today’s new creations, each chapter explores a style such as braids, curls, chignons, short crops, Mohawks, and some wilder extremes. Rare archival images combine with fabulous work by stellar photographers including Duane Michals, Martin Parr, Patrick Demarchelier, Jean-Paul Goude, Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, David LaChapelle, Nan Goldin, and others. These are accompanied by witty and informed contributions from fashion stars and world-renowned stylists from Vidal Sassoon, Orlando Pita, Julien d’Ys, and Sam McKnight to queen of burlesque Dita Von Teese, Nicole Tucker (Alicia Keys's hairstylist), and Kathy Phillips, former beauty editor at Vogue.
Reviews
A collection of hair porn unlike anything you've seen on Pinterest.
— Allure
A dazzling exploration of styles from fashion history and film …we're not sure 320 pages will be enough space to satisfy our hunger for all the things Philippon wants to show us.
— Refinery29
What comes across strongest in the expansive new tome …is [Philippon's] enthusiasm.
— Style.com
Examines key hair trends through history with chapters on Braids, Curls, Chignons, Wigs, etc., and celebrates the unmitigated artistry of each category through Laurent's informed and appreciative perspective.
— Behind the Chair on Paper
A startlingly fresh way to cut through a swath of history…Alongside famous shots of Kate and Naomi, there are gems to rediscover, like an Avedon of Jean Shrimpton, her asymmetrical hair magically aloft.
— Vogue
Entire selections dedicated to the most stunning examples of braids, curls, wigs, and chignons from fashion history fill the pages, with essays about memorable dos sprinkled throughout.
— New York Magazine
[A] stunning tour de hair.
— Fast Co.Design
A book that celebrates the art and craft of hair styling with a collection of stunning photographs and commentary.
— Modern Salon
One of the best surprises of the gift giving season.
— New York Journal of Books
The ultimate guide to fantasy tresses.
— New York Daily News
Philippon celebrates the sculptural element of the female crowning glory with this fun perhaps even inspiring exploration of the history of hair. Fashionistas and hairstylists alike will flock to this book.
— Publishers Weekly
A modern history on the art of hair with photographs by Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, David LaChapelle and Nan Goldin. Need we say more?
— Harper's Bazaar
Contributors
Laurent Philippon
Author
Laurent Philippon is an internationally recognized hairstylist and a creative consultant for Bumble and bumble. He is based in Paris and New York.
