Throughout cultural history many significant people have influenced our fashion sense and definition of style. In early civilisation many people’s appearances were governed by religious and political leaders. As time progressed characters such as Louis XIV inspired their people; allowing them to express themselves in a more liberal sense.
The following article describes some influential individuals and their contribution to twentieth century hairstyling.
The Beatles
It only seems fitting that one of the most iconic bands of all time has its own unique look. The Beatles “mop top” cut was inspired by their photographer of the time, Jürgen Volmer.
The mop top is a fairly simple hairstyle that resembles a mop with the hair hanging down over the eyes. Straight hair is cut mid length, hanging over the collar at the back and over the ears at the side. The fringe was also central to the look and was either worn straight or brushed to one side.
As the popularity of the Beatles grew more fans and followers adopted the style through the sixties. Toy companies also started to manufacture Beatles wigs featuring the mop top style which were extremely popular amongst fans. Although only one company officially produced the toy wig many bootleggers tried to imitate it. To this day the genuine Beatles wigs are still held in extremely high regard amongst memorabilia collectors.
David Beckham
Throughout David Beckham’s illustrious career as a professional football player he has also been revered as a home grown, British style icon. Beckham and his stylists have been busy creating a sharp look that reflects his skills on the pitch.
Beckham is well known for pioneering new lines of fashion and unconventional hairstyles often accompanied by his equally stylish wife, Victoria. He has not only influenced fans and fellow players but instead is thought of as being role model for men all over the world.
Amongst looks sported by Beckham are Cornrows, the infamous faux hawk and the crew cut. Whereas other stars appear to have individual cuts accredited to them, David Beckham is unique as a continually reinvented, walking style guide.
Friends
The fictional character Rachel from popular TV comedy friends has had more influence on the hairdresser’s community than many stylists and hairdressers themselves.
Towards the end of the 1990s the Rachel look took the fashion world by storm with thousands of women adopting the look overnight. The Rachel style is fairly easy to create for any woman with shoulder length hair or longer. The look was creating by adding a layered, shag cut to Jennifer Aniston’s already long, straightened hair.
Even though Jennifer Aniston’s on-screen character only sported the hairstyle for two seasons of the long running series it is still chosen by thousands of women today.
