your
BLEND
Gloria Makafui Mifetu
2023 ITAA ANNUAL CONFERENCE EXHIBITION-Nov. 20-23 Nov. 8-11
The Chronicle of Black Hair
Keywords: crocheting, storytelling, black hair, single parenthood
​
The challenges of single motherhood affect children's outcomes. Berryhill and Dursch (2016)stated that the average socioemotional academic and statistical test scores of children from single-parent families are lower than those of children from two-parent households. Through all their struggles, single parents still strive to dress, look nice, and hide their pain behind their dresses and hairstyles on many occasions. For Africans, the social impact of black hair was significant, and the cosmetic aspects of black hair were equally essential (Byrd & Tharps 2014). This study used upcycling and crocheting to design a garment to tell the story of a black mother with black hair.
The Black Hair Empowerment at Its Core
Keywords: crocheting, storytelling, black hair, single parenthood empowerment
​
This design draws inspiration from the diverse hairstyles used by the designer’s mother on various occasions and events. In the narrative, this dress's hair reflects a modern hairstyle our parents may not be able to afford. Through a range of colors, this design aims to evoke emotions such as hope, tension, success, and empowerment, all intertwined with the artistry of different hairstyles. Thus, the purpose of this design is to narrate how infrequent hairstyles empower children and how they affect them by using fashion as a medium. This design research uncovers the concealed story behind a particular black hair's aesthetic, beauty, and empowerment.
Other images
