When did hair become art?

Throughout history, hair has become as iconic as the person wearing it.  Sometimes the lines are blurred between whether the person made the hairstyle iconic or if the hairstyle made the person an icon. 

Audrey Hepburn and the up-do

Marilyn Monroe and the "pageboy"

Mia Farrow and the "pixie"

Farrah Fawcett and the feathered shag that is actually called "The Farrah"

These hairstyles do not seem shocking or ground-breaking now, but they were artistic forms of expression and certainly a risk at the time of their conception. Now, it seems as if the possibilities for hair as an art medium are endless.  Look below for the modern conceptualizations of a few hairstyles of yesterday. 

"The Afro"

"The Dreads"

 "The Bouffant"   

     "The  Modern Pageboy"

These hair "headpieces" are beautiful and show an amazing amount of creativity. Maybe a bit impractical, but what is art if not full of fantasy and impracticality? 

"Cottonballs Anyone?"

      "The Hair Bonnet"

"The Horizontal Cone"

Let's go even further and see what hair looks like as actual piece of art.  Kelly Howley is an artist from Cambridge England.  She decided to make jewelry from hair- the intention being to take something that is seen as beautiful when it is attached to our body, but not so much when it falls out, and turn it into something beautiful again.  The technique and the actual designs are beautiful and certainly speak to her talent and patience.  I'll let you decide whether you would want to wear one of these pieces to your next cocktail party.   Howley's hair necklaces are an example of the best kind of art- the kind that you can't walk away from without having an opinion.  

Think twice before you pull your hair up, yet again, in that convenient ponytail...you could be missing out on the perfect opportunity to express yourself.