Black Hair Shows Are Back—And Marking a New Era of Black Creativity

In July, dozens gathered at 99 Scott Studios in Brooklyn for hair artist Kayra Theodore’s inaugural hair show, Untied. Theodore’s celebration of expression through Black hair paralleled a time when Black hair shows were more than just beauty events. They were cultural moments that catalyzed many hair stylists, entrepreneurs, educators, and brands. They celebrated community and creativity in ways that the mainstream beauty industry overlooked. Theodore’s show is just one in a larger resurgence of Black hair shows for a new generation. 

Now, brands like Cécred are hosting hair shows, along with platforms like Texture on Set and Black Hair Reimagined—bringing that spirit back with a modern perspective. Keep reading to explore why Black hair shows mattered, why they’re returning now, and what they mean for the future of textured hair.

The Golden Era of Black Hair Shows

Black hair shows across the country have long been sources of artistry, creative expression, and community for the Black community. Among the most well-known is arguably the Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show, which was founded in 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia. This show, which takes place biannually in February and again in August, started with about 300 attendees and now, almost 80 years later, draws around 30,000. 

“Hair shows have long been an important part of Black culture, creating space for artistry, education, entrepreneurship, and community,” says Dr. Kari Williams, Cécred’s senior director of hair science & education. “They celebrate the creativity and technical expertise of hairstylists, while showcasing the many ways Black people use hair to express identity, individuality, and culture.” 

Before these shows became a place of fierce competition and pageantry, they were initially a platform for people to purchase products, among other things. As their popularity grew, the spaces became platforms for many to launch careers, gain recognition, and showcase the highest level of their skills and creativity. They also gave thousands of others a place to network, learn, gain exposure, and find inspiration while championing Black hair expression. 

Why Black Hair Shows Faded

Although we’re now seeing a resurgence in Black hair shows, there was a moment where they began to fizzle out. “The greats like the Bronner Brothers, and the local staples that kept culture alive in cities like Detroit, Chicago, and Brooklyn gave us community and craft that shaped generations of stylists,” says Naeemah LaFond, founder of Texture On Set. “But the industry around them changed faster than the infrastructure did. As the work shifted toward editorial, runway, and high fashion sets, a lot of those spaces didn’t get the investment they needed to grow with it, and many got absorbed into generic beauty expos that stripped out the culture that made them special in the first place.” 

Jawara, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Echelon Noir Productions and Black Hair Reimagined, points to the rise of social media as another reason for the decline. “The industry changed, and the way people access inspiration and education changed with it,” he says. “That access is incredible, but I think somewhere along the way we lost some of the importance of gathering in person. I don’t think that desire went away. The format just needed to evolve with the culture and with the industry.” 

A New Generation of Black Hair Experiences 

In the last few years, Black hair experiences have resurged, driven by a desire for a space to foster creativity and community in person. For Jawara and Jarrod Lacks, co-founders of Echelon Noir Productions, launching Black Hair Reimagined meant bringing excitement and joy back to the hair space. Inspired by shows like Bronner Brothers and Detroit Hair Wars, where hair was seen as high art, they aim to build community and give new creatives a platform. 

“We launched Black Hair Reimagined because we felt something was missing, not just a show, but a feeling,” says Lacks. “The excitement and anticipation that used to fill a room had quietly disappeared, and the joy had been drained out of fashion and beauty. We wanted to create a moment that lived beyond a social media post that quickly becomes an afterthought,  something unexpected, something that gave people a nostalgic feeling of what shows used to feel like in the ‘90s and the anticipation of seeing what these incredible creatives would produce.” 

Celebrity hairstylist and educator Vernon François has participated in Black Hair Reimagined twice. “It’s been incredibly fulfilling because it creates space for conversations that deserve to be seen,” he says. “Hair is history, identity, engineering, sculpture, culture, and storytelling.” 

Another modern show, Texture On Set, was founded by LaFond in response to the negative experiences Black models with textured hair faced in the fashion and beauty industries.

“The goal was to design a system where textured hair expertise is treated as foundational,” she says. “The inspiration came from watching newcomers get shut out of rooms they were qualified for, and watching veterans carry decades of knowledge with nowhere formal to pass it on. Texture on Set was built to close that gap, a proof of concept that this industry can be redesigned around textured hair as the default, and that we can all sit at this table together and have a hand in moving the industry forward.” 

Hair care brands are also contributing to the renaissance of Black hair shows. Earlier this year, Cécred hosted one to launch its Styling Collection. “Hair shows have been part of Cécred’s heritage since the very beginning,” says Tiffany Plater, SVP of marketing and creative for Cécred. “Across our launches, we’ve consistently used hair shows and live presentations to celebrate the culture, artistry, and community surrounding hair, making them a natural expression of the brand and its values that ties directly back to our roots and passion for the stylist community.” 

Ms. Tina Knowles, Cécred’s vice chairwoman, oversaw the show, while the production united choreographer AuDrya Kelly, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and a team of leading stylists under the direction of Dr. Kari Williams.

“Hair shows have long been a celebration of Black culture and the incredible creativity and talent within the community,” Knowles says. “For Cécred, it was important to honor that legacy while bringing it to the forefront in a way that felt inspiring for a new generation. It’s about reminding people that hair has always been so much more than style–it’s a form of art, expression, connection, and culture.”

What This Means for the Future

Throughout history, Black hair has been demeaned, politicized, and criticized, yet the Black community has always found ways to continue creating, innovating, and exploring its beauty. These hair shows are just one of those ways. 

LaFond sees the show as a vital vehicle of change, with the power to impact how the industry operates. “I’m proud that something that was built by a Black artist to support Black beauty can serve as the reference point for how our industry can do better and can evolve in a way that is not only inclusive but authentic,” she says.

Lacks envisions Black Hair Reimagined growing into a global show in cities like Paris and London where “Black creatives are thriving and hungry for this kind of platform.” To further the mission of community building off the runway, Lacks and Jawara are also building Echelon Noir Academy. 

“[It’s] an initiative where we partner with brands to create access for young Black creatives who wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to be in these rooms and spaces,” Lacks says. “Our purpose has always been community building. The Echelon Noir Academy is how we make that purpose last beyond any single show.” 

If platforms like Texture of Change and Black Hair Reimagined are any indication, the future of Black hair is bright—and boundless. Black hairstylists and creatives have always been innovators, transforming hair into a canvas for imagination, identity, and culture. The return (and continued support) of Black hair shows and programming ensures that creativity has the space, resources, and recognition it deserves to flourish.