This is a headpiece I created inspired by a helmet. This idea manifested itself from a conversation I was having with someone about how the way bike helmets are designed tend to be exclusive to those with kinky curly hair types as we struggle to adjust their narrow shapes onto our hair. As someone who loves biking I’ve had to adjust my hair to fit into a helmet for the sake of my safety almost every summer and spring, whether it be straightening it, braiding or finding ways to get my thick stubborn hair to slick back despite its length. This reminded me of the ways in which Black people often have to adjust themselves for the sake of their safety in general as most things in society are not designed to keep us safe. A lot of my work investigates this aspect of my identity and through my interest in fashion I am able to translate my ideas and beliefs into wearable garments. Allowing people to drape my ideas on to their body and carry those values with them makes me feel heard in a way I wouldn’t if I expressed myself verbally. For this project I wanted to design something similar to a helmet but creating a headpiece that would be adjustable and specifically fit afrocentric hair in a way that was stylish and innovative. These particular pieces adjust to puffs and afros and while they may not actively function as a helmet they share similarities in their design. The stuffing imitates the idea of insulation and the cage-like appearance keeps the hair safe and protected. I can see this styled for everyday wear as an unconventional accessory which I believe is important as there are very few accessories that can be worn by people with afro hair exclusively as products are not usually designed for us. This was made using up-cycled cotton from a sheet dyed with eucalyptus and coffee, stuffed with fabric scraps and polyester fiber for toys sculpted with bendable wire allowing it to be adjusted on certain areas. I like the way it is versatile in its neutral colors to be worn with different things by different people, I also like how it can adjust to anyone’s hair and fits as if it was designed to be worn by them. I am excited about this project and plan on creating more pieces like these that mold to different styles. I’d love to see these worn as a symbol of reclamation and pride. I believe art pieces like this are important to the Black community as a lot of time the work we create is only focused on when it centers our pain. Being proud and reclaiming our culture is equally as important as we progress, focusing on ourselves without feeling the need to fit into white standards.

I am inspired by the things that have made me. The communities I belong to, my upbringings in nature as well as my personal experiences all fuel my art practice and have left me with so much to say. Exploring through different mediums, I strive to celebrate my inspirations and share my frustrations with the world. In the future I can see myself continuing these same conversations I’ve been discussing in my work so far; capitalism and its many detrimental effects, anti-blackness, environmentalism, queer identity and many other subjects. Getting my messages to be spread across the world through my garments, pictures and any medium I may come across, promoting these concepts through innovative pieces that embrace self expression, and visuals that uplift my communities and make them feel seen. This would allow me to be heard in a way that I feel I wouldn’t be if I expressed myself verbally, especially as a Black femme as our voices are often disrespected when speaking on social disparities and our own hardships. To me, being successful as a Black femme artist means that I am able to represent not only my own but also the struggles of my peers as our stories are undervalued. So far my practice has mostly been experimental but I feel the different mediums I’ve done have informed each other and turned me into a better artist at large. My values really motivate my work and I am really excited to advance my ideas pursuing a BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

This is a headpiece I created inspired by a helmet. This idea manifested itself from a conversation I was having with someone about how the way bike helmets are designed tend to be exclusive to those with kinky curly hair types as we struggle to adjust their narrow shapes onto our hair. As someone who loves biking I’ve had to adjust my hair to fit into a helmet for the sake of my safety almost every summer and spring, whether it be straightening it, braiding or finding ways to get my thick stubborn hair to slick back despite its length. This reminded me of the ways in which Black people often have to adjust themselves for the sake of their safety in general as most things in society are not designed to keep us safe. A lot of my work investigates this aspect of my identity and through my interest in fashion I am able to translate my ideas and beliefs into wearable garments. Allowing people to drape my ideas on to their body and carry those values with them makes me feel heard in a way I wouldn’t if I expressed myself verbally. For this project I wanted to design something similar to a helmet but creating a headpiece that would be adjustable and specifically fit afrocentric hair in a way that was stylish and innovative. This particular piece adjusts to puffs and while it may not actively function as a helmet it shares similarities in its design. The stuffing imitates the idea of insulation and the cage-like appearance keeps the hair safe and protected. I can see this styled for everyday wear as an unconventional accessory which I believe is important as there are very few accessories that can be worn by people with afro hair exclusively as products are not usually designed for us. This was made using up-cycled cotton from a sheet dyed with eucalyptus and coffee, stuffed with fabric scraps and polyester fiber for toys sculpted with bendable wire allowing it to be adjusted on certain areas. I like the way it is versatile in its neutral colors to be worn with different things by different people, I also like how it can adjust to anyone’s hair and fits as if it was designed to be worn by them. I am excited about this project and plan on creating more pieces like these that mold to different styles. I’d love to see these worn as a symbol of reclamation and pride