At this year’s annual InStyle awards, there were many standout stars that grazed the carpet. However, very few hit the media outlets like 21-year-old (actress? musician? superwoman?) Zendaya, whose dress wasn’t the only thing to make a statement.
The starlette and former Disney talent, styled by Law Roach in a fiery Schiaparelli Fall 2017 Couture dress, brought he heat when she donned an afro wig, channeling her inner Pam Grier (and bringing me back tot he nostalgic days of the beautiful 70s).
Yes, her speech was riveting, accurately depicting how fashion had helped her find her confidence. “Fashion has given me that vehicle to not care. Literally, the only opinion that should matter when you step outside the house or when you wear something and you put something on when you look in the mirror should be your own,” she said. “I thank you for pushing me to be confidence and pushing me to take chances.” Of course, her hairstyle for the night was another wonderful example of Daya constantly showing us that she, and women of color in general, are never tied to one thing.
While publications went on and on on the young fashionista’s style and beauty choice of the night in a positive way, Vanity Fair ruffled a few feathers (or tiers) when they wrote that Daya was “bringing back the afro,” and…um, excuse me?
First of all, I’m confused when we ever thought afros were gone? Secondly, does it take a star like Zendaya, a connoisseur of “pulling any and everything off” to make certain demographics of people think that an afro is now back in style? Did she make it cool, whereas others before hand didn’t? What about the countless women and men walking around daily whose hair naturally has that natural curl pattern? Were they not back before Zendaya hit the carpet?
Media personality Bevy Smith also noted that the afro never left in a Twitter post. And she’s right; for years, women of color have sported their natural hair long before a “natural hair movement” ever began. Long before it was “cool” to be natural or have 4C hair or have an afro. This ain’t nothing new to a community who is constantly judged, critiqued, criticized and discriminated against a hairstyle that, for one night, was being “brought back”, according to Vanity Fair.
Personally, I’m happy that Zendaya was able to pay homage (and serve us lewks for days!), however let’s not think that one person is “bringing back” something that is found in our culture. Unless we’re also “bringing back” curvy features, dark skin, fuller lips or larger noses. Last time I checked, they never left.
She ended her speech with words I hope we can all live by. She said, “Continue, every single one of you, to be extraordinary and brilliant and unique in your own way because that’s what the world needs right now, is people who are exactly who they are. Continue to do you and don’t let anyone stop that shine.” Yes, Zendaya, we are all amazing just the way we are. Let’s continue to show that wholeheartedly.
