Last week saw the posh, pretty and kind-of irritating Emma Watson chop off her long hair into a short, flattering new crop.
Many know her as ‘Hermione’ in the Harry Potter franchise, but this new style has had the media comparing her to Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby - a cut that is still considered iconic more than 40 years on.
It doesn’t bother me that this may not be a new trend - whether she’ll quickly grow it out at the next opportunity, or pay for extensions - it’s just refreshing to see a celebrity take such a leap with their appearance.
However there have been plenty of dramatic statements recently, just look at artists like Rhianna and Lady Gaga who sport increasingly daring hair on a regular basis, experimenting with asymmetric, unconventional styles and garish colours.
But are these just disposable styles that will shock the masses and then quickly fade away?
I’m sure that only time will tell, but I have a feeling that they won’t leave a lasting legacy or still be held up as iconic in decades to come.
This got me thinking about the most defining moments in hair history, about who really managed to make a mark on style and not just blend into the background or shock for the sake of it.
There’s obviously Jennifer Aniston’s layered look in the early Friends days, Farrah Fawcett’s famous flicks and Victoria Beckham’s ‘pob’. But not everyone has the same style icons or favourite moments in the history of hair. So what are yours?
Brigitte Bardot, And God Created Woman, 1956
Mine begin with one that’s probably shared by many others; the big, backcombed and tousled look of French sex-kitten Brigitte Bardot. Along with Marilyn Monroe she’s one of the most iconic blondes in history and her style and hair are still channelled by many today.
But picking a specific moment (or I should say film) would have to be her appearance in And God Created Woman. This was considered to be Bardot’s big break and made her into an international sex symbol. And I think she owes that, in part, to her hair. Although not as blonde as she later became, her thick, wavy hair with a heavy fringe had women all over the world crazily backcombing and curling.
Britney Spears, hair salon, 2007
My second favourite hair moment has to be on February 17th, 2007 when Britney Spears infamously marched into a hair salon before shaving off her long blonde hair / extensions. Many speculated that years of sickly sweet pop and constant media attention had finally pushed her over the edge and even she admitted she’d hit “rock bottom”.
Maybe it’s iconic for the wrong reasons, but, I see her actions as rather empowering, ridding herself of all the vanity and just giving the media a big f*** you.
Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961
I was conscious of only choosing three style moments for this and really wanted to go for Kate Moss’ grungy look, but let’s be honest, very little effort is needed to achieve that kind of style. So, instead I went with Audrey Hepburn’s up-do in Breakfast at Tiffanys. Nothing says style, glamour and sophistication like this moment in hair history.
While researching these style-defining moments, I’ve realised all the celebrities have, to some degree, courted controversy and been involved in scandal. However, as some of the most beautiful and idolised women in history, they have also paved the way for others, changing society’s perception of women and making it acceptable to explore your own sexuality and image.
Obviously their actions, opinions and talent has played a massive part, but I think a distinctive sense of style and hair copied by women all over the globe, is fundamental to the formation of a timeless icon.
Photo of Emma Watson via her Facebook page
Photo Mia Farrow via William Rover
Picture of Brigitte Bardot via Kingsley International Pictures Inc
Picture of Britney Spears via examiner.com
Picture of Audrey Hepburn via Hollywood Yesterday