MAKING WAVES: WE CHAT TO THE NEWLY LAUNCHED CURLY BRIDE ON ALL THINGS NATURAL HAIR FOR YOUR WEDDING
We are DEEE-Lighted to be featuring new brand The Curly Bride today, a platform that acknowledges, normalises, celebrates, inspires and holds space for the Natural Hair Community within the wedding world. You may very well have seen these babes, they were darn near breaking the internet with the preview sneaks of the products they had coming up before Christmas and have now officially launched woo hoo!
We spoke to founder Sacha, who has a background in hair care and e-commerce, about the aims and goals for The Curly Bride and the backstory of this beautiful shoot she put together, with the brilliant Tanya Weekes. Sacha also informed and contributed to an amazing piece in The Metro which explains in more depth about just how much the beauty and, in particular, the wedding industry has both let down and kept down those with naturally curly and afro hair. Impacting and enforcing the aesthetic that smooth, long, sleek hair is ‘beautiful’ , rendering hair that is more matt, kinked and coiled is ‘messy’, ‘inappropriate’ or ‘unattractive’. It’s a concept and battleground that is 400 PLUS years in the making and loaded, complex and there are many amazing resources on this vital subject, including the book Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri. Amina Grey, who assisted on hair (with the mighty SBHM Stylists) on our shoot with Woods Quay has also put pen to paper on the subject and we’ll be chatting to her more about this topic going forward on here. BUT for this piece we wanted to focus more on the amazing celebratory space, tips and advice, inspirations and JOY The Curly Bride are bringing for black and mixed race womxn (and ANY person with big curl energy going on in general!) on and in the lead up to their wedding day!
So…who is The Curly Bride?!
The Curly Bride Company at surface level is a luxury bridal accessory, gift shop, blog and directory (online and UK only- for now) with a focus on curly, afro and natural hair weddings. I have been an entrepreneur for a few years now and more recently also became a self taught curly hair specialist through my other brand, a global online store with customers in 24 countries and basically a hub for all things curly hair care. I have curly hair as does my daughter. We had a few covid related delays but we have now launched!
My background is mainly in e-commerce, hair care as above, consultancy with customer and technical product management and training in my employee days. I’m a single mum, never been a bride and have been a bridesmaid once as a child :)
There is A LOT of work to do in making “Diversity in weddings” more than a (rarely used) hashtag, so here we are.
We are dedicated to changing the narrative around natural hair in weddings and providing our brides with the wedding experience they deserve. Only very recently are more women starting to commit to wearing their hair natural at weddings, as brides, bridesmaids and even guests. We are here not only to change the narrative and encourage women to embrace their beautiful natural hair but to go one giant leap further and provide them with the best resources they need once they commit to that decision. We are providing an end to end niche service that currently does not exist, anywhere in the world.
We have also set up a V.I.V Directory (Very Important Vendor!) our curated resource of specialist wedding suppliers who also want to be a part of this movement to uplift natural hair in weddings by providing our brides with the wedding experience they deserve.
Also, something really powerful is that a lot of our vendors will be representative of our clients. That’s pretty magical for adults and children to see at a wedding, for some of the actual vendors looking like them, especially with natural hair and having an understanding of certain things, styling in particular. A lot of the time, black bridesmaids for example are expected to do their own hair, even makeup sometimes as the stylists don’t know how. That’s if they haven’t been told to straighten it beforehand which the majority are. More on this in the Metro piece.
How would you describe a Curly Bride Bride!?
Whilst our demographic is niche, there is a lot of variation within it. Our clients are anything from someone that is trying to find the confidence to wear their natural hair for their wedding to someone that has made the decision but has no idea where to start. Even those that don’t have a date set for their wedding but have started thinking about it and hunting for inspo and resources- and struggling. There is also the variation of hair texture, our main clients being black women with thick afro textured or curly hair all the way through to white and Asian women with loose curls or waves. We also of course are here for bridesmaids and flower girls, even guests, not just brides. The main things they need are inspo and resources which we will supply. With us, they can literally see the inspo, shop the inspo and be the inspo. Before we had even launched our website, the demand and response to us purely via Instagram since we created our account in August was totally amazing and really validated the need.
What do you love about working with afro style hair?
You know, I don’t really look at it like that. I just know how beautiful it is and how much what we are doing is needed on so many levels. It’s so much bigger than just the wedding day. I spoke about this in the Metro piece also. To me the natural hair that grows from a black woman’s head is both magical and normal, even though it isn’t generally seen as either in society or the media. So it’s just using my knowledge and experience to do my part in changing that and these beautiful women and children’s view of themselves.
*note from editor, point taken that the Curly Brides’ approach is not to single this hair type out as a novelty, as my question suggested. In fact The Curly’s Brides aim is the actual opposite of that! It is simultaneously special but also normal! In one way it should be revered as a point of cultural significance and expression and needing much pampering after such harsh treatment both literally and figuratively, BUT similarly is just a type of hair with different needs than another type of hair! x
What are the types of hair that fall into the Curly Bride’s world!
I'm sure there are as many types of afro hair as there are people! There are lots of different words used to describe black women’s hair afro, kinky, coily, curly, and actually a lot of black people can have their hair either as an afro or defined curls, the versatility is part of the true magic. For example, two of the models in our shoot (Bianca and my daughter, Jaya), had their hair brushed out into afro-textured hair. That was intentional, it wasn’t overly manipulated or styled, it was very much hair in its natural state which is just as beautiful and wedding appropriate as when it is defined and “frizz-free” using water and styling products. We also showed a range of hair textures for this exact reason to tackle the deep rooted views of lighter skin, looser hair being beautiful and dark skin and afros not. Nonsense, obviously but this is reality and has been for a very long time. There is a hair texture system that is often used in the natural hair community that we choose not to use as we feel it encourages more comparison and segregation, fuelling texturism (which is a real thing birthed from the beauty standards points mentioned above and in the Metro piece). It used numbers and letters to place hair texture, afro hair being placed in the 4 category which is then further broken down by the letters. Unsurprisingly, the people referred to as having “4c” hair through this system, often have the most underrepresented afro hair, widely viewed as the most undesirable and unmanageable.
Do you feel there is a special connection and meaning felt between a black hair stylist and her client?
There is but initially it is just that black women want and deserve someone that can actually do their hair just like white women do. The special connection, understanding and appreciation is more prominent because it is so rare and there is also an underlying feeling of the stylist actually caring and wanting them to feel beautiful. Even one of our models felt she had to express her relief and gratitude at the fact that we had a range of hair products that we would be using to style their hair that were actually for their hair. This is where my unique knowledge and experience of hair care, products and ingredients comes in but it shouldn’t be so uncommon. We even felt it at the styled shoot. The vendor team was majority black women with one black male videographer and a white makeup artist that is experienced in and is passionate about our values (mainly from having a mixed raced daughter). Everyone noticed how rare it was to see that and how positive it felt. The mum of one of the models even expressed how emotional and proud she felt afterwards.
CB Founder Sacha, ensuring the beautiful Curly Bride Scrunchies are tied to perfection!
Do you feel there is a change in how black hair is being worn at weddings, particularly with the Micro wedding vibe?
Yes but it is not coming from the wedding industry currently. It is coming from black women themselves, more are starting to unpack and unlearn and are proactively working towards self love and acceptance. Myself included. Some of which comes from having black children and realising that we have to show them what they cannot see in the world. Even with braids, braids are absolutely bridal so even if it isn’t natural hair, some women are considering leaving their protective braid styles in for their weddings instead of swapping them for straight weaves for the day. Braids on children at weddings being seen as inappropriate is a big thing that needs to change also.
What styles do you see coming through?
Is the natural afro becoming more and more popular? In terms of weddings, yes and curls. It is more the embracing of natural hair with the initial step being deciding to stop straightening either via chemical relaxers or straighteners, then embarking on the journey of transitioning which is the process of caring for their damaged hair until it becomes healthy again. The transitioning stage is even more challenging because of the way black people’s hair is viewed as it can often be frizzy, not uniform etc. but again, a lot of women I’m delighted to say are taking these steps because they know it is more than worth it and is about so much more. Big Chops are another thing, [ the act of cutting off all of your relaxed hair, leaving only your beautiful new growth, which is natural hair] So instead of transitioning and growing out the damaged hair, some decide to just chop it all off in one swoop and start fresh. Another element of representation that was important to show in our styled shoot with one of our models having short hair. Then as mentioned you have beautiful braid styles either with natural hair or extensions which also act as protective styles when done right (protecting their natural hair underneath). Natural hair acts as a barrier in all areas of a black person’s life so it is actually a big decision that is often seen as “brave”. Again, see Metro for more on that!
And what style are you loving for weddings right now? What fun and beautiful touches are you seeing or would you recommend for brides who really want to embrace their natural hair? I guess this is also what the shoot was about! And we MUST also address your astoundingly beautiful products you now have live for sale, which also cater to the accessories trend side of things - Tell us more, and we’ll let the pictures speak a thousand words too!
There are so many! I think just whatever the brides and bridesmaids truly want and that represents their personality. I love the use of beautiful accessories such as our statement grande vegan silk scrunchies, a head piece and I love floral crowns, we will have some of those in our shop but equally love seeing natural hair out and free without any accessories at all. Some of the braid styles are also just stunning and super creative. It was important that our accessories were fit for purpose too. Some just won’t work in thick hair and that isn’t considered very often. Our styled shoot highlights a lot of this, as does some of the inspo we post on our instagram and will be showcasing via our blog and vendor partner spotlights.
What advice would you like to give brides when deciding on their wedding hair style?
As above and just to go with their heart. Utilise inspo, ones that show similar hair is always useful but it doesn’t have to be as we are strong believers that a hairstyle can be done on all hair textures, even as a variation of it (we have a styled shoot and some blog content coming on that). Also the haircare routine is really key, just as it is day to day. Then finally, have conversations early on with makeup artists and stylists, show them the desired looks and ask for photos or videos of previous work that shows they are able to do it. Some offer trials before the wedding day which is really handy. You can really be as bold and creative as you want or just go for really natural and simple, just like people do when choosing the other elements of their wedding.
Who inspires you - whether it be in your work or your life? Or a bit of both :)
I have been asked this a lot over the years and can never really answer it. I can’t say anyone in particular other than my daughter and then just a mix of different people, mainly those that aren’t celebrities funnily enough. People that overcome barriers and then use what they have to help others do the same.
Your metro article deals with the day of the shoot wonderfully but let us know a little more about your process and how you achieved these gorgeous shots.
There was a lot of planning and a lot of collaboration. My vision was clear which helped and we had a mood board as well as an very in depth scheduled. I had the help of our Virtual Assistant partner The Different Assistant and they also offer additional services which meant they were able to assist with coordination on the day. It was hectic as we had a lot to cram in from 9am-5pm but we did it and it was very special, both behind the scenes and the end result. I did also battle a bit of imposter syndrome at the start of the planning as I have directed shoots before but never a styled bridal shoot but I just got on with it and it worked out.
I am beyond pleased with them. There were only a couple of shots that we didn’t get time for and things went surprisingly smoothly even with the slight hiccup of being told we needed a permit to shoot outside (whilst shooting) but they gave us one on the spot- phew!
What was the vibe on the shoot, what was your favourite part of it?
I feel like I am overusing these words but it was really very special and powerful. The energy in the room and knowing the importance of what we were creating was felt by everyone. For me personally, two things stand out other than that. The representation and experience for my daughter, as a young black girl being in that setting with such amazing people and creatives and being part of something so important will stay with both of us forever and then just seeing my vision come to life. Especially when I walked in and saw the models, I mean WOW. I designed most of the concepts and styling so it was amazing to see them and getting over the shock that I actually did that, with the help of an amazing team. It was so full on and draining for everyone but we didn’t mind and we all wanted to do it again so I would say it was a success :)
What has the feedback been so far?
We are now well over 1K followers, are experiencing global demand for our products and directory, and we only officially launched on New Year’s Eve! We have also received many touching messages (seen here) that make all the hard work behind the scenes so worth it!
Thank you so much for the brilliant interview Sacha, and we cannot wait to watch you fly and fly!
FULLL CREDITS FOR SHOOT
Styling & Concept: @thecurlybrideco
Bride Models: @bianca_danielle
@ebonieblush
Bridesmaid Model: @anya.lawrence
Dresses: @naomiderubridal @felisitigreis
Hair Accessories: @miss_clemmie_accessories
@debrahjevents
Makeup: @claudiasalarismakeup
Photographer: @tweekesweddings
Dried Flowers & Chair: @mamabearand_co
Assistant Co-ordinator: @digital.vpa
Venue: @innsidemcr
