From Antonia Opiah’s 2013 short film, You Can Touch My Hair, which documents the controversial New York Art Exhibit, to Doing Hair: Art and Hair In Africa, an exhibition on at the Wits Art Museum, celebrating innovation in hairstyling in the continent, black hair, especially the politics and culture around its grooming, is all the rage right now.
Social Media Week Johannesburg is engaging in this trending topic from an exciting angle.
South African women are using digital tools from pinterest to Youtube to share their tried and tested tips on the best styling and maintenance solutions and products on the market, practically re–defining their own beauty standards. This has spawned a boom of chic hair and lifestyle blogs that are confidently spreading outwards into the mainstream.
With this emerging shift in trends there are new income opportunities being created in the massive business of black hair.
Social Media Week Johannesburg has invited a number of thought leaders and influencers, to give meaning to a discussion on how social media has democratized black hair in the country. Included in the panel are hair blogger, Kavuli-Nyali Binase of www.goodhairdiaries.com; media maven and natural hair advocate, Janine Jellars of www.thisherehair.com; lifestyle blogger, Wisaal Anderson of www.wiscellaneous.com; consumer expert and hair care retailer, Taryn Gilhttp://theperfecthair.co.za/ and cultural commentator, trend spotter, with special interest in hair politics, Milisuthando Bongela.
Together they will explore who the business entrepreneurs at the forefront of the current shift in the hair industry are – from hair product brands to content creators; what the specific cultural trends in South Africa are and what is the impetus behind the rise these individual black hair voices.
Says, Jellars, “The great thing about the internet is that it has democratised how we discuss issues that are important to us, including black women’s beauty and fashion needs. Natural hair – and black hair in general – is often overlooked in mainstream women’s media, so social media and blogging give women fantastic platforms to express themselves around these topics.”
This interesting panel discussion takes place at 88 Marshal Street35 Commissioner Street, Corner Fox at the Good Hair Today Salon on Friday September 26. It will be followed by hair demos; cocktails and music for all those attending. Please note that the guest list is limited and so the first to regsiter will guarantee entrance.
About Social Media Week
Social Media Week (SMW) is a leading news and publishing platform and worldwide event that takes place in close to 20 cities each year. Its mission is to capture, curate and share the most meaningful ideas, trends, and best practices with regard to social media’s impact on business, society, and culture. SMW hosts two worldwide events each year in February & September, where on average 10 cities participate simultaneously. All main events will take place across Braamfontein and Milpark including the Wits Theatre, Wits Amphitheatre, Jozi Hub (44 Stanley Ave) and more. There will also be a number of independent events taking place throughout the city from Melville to Bryanston. Social Media Week boasts the Official Mobile App sponsored by Microsoft that helps attendees enhance their experience by connecting with other SMW fans; accessing exclusive feeds and content as well as exploring the event schedule and speakers. Features include: Connect and Network for group or individual conversations with SMW enthusiasts. Live Video and Content – allows you to view live video feeds of keynotes, panels, and workshops from SMW cities across the globe. You can also follow content and real-time conversations across social media channels and trending topics. You can track the events and speakers that matter to you with the Favourite Events and Speakers feature. It’s important to register for all events you want to attend, including those that will be free. There is strictly no entry without registration. Register for Social Media Week here: http://socialmediaweek.org/johannesburg. Social Media Week Johannesburg has confirmed a broad range of opinion and trend- leaders as part of the event – amongst them are John Montgomery (GroupM), Alan Knott Craig Jr.(Project Isizwe) Mike Sharman (Retroviral), Michelle Atagana (Ventureburn), Khaya Dlanga (Coca-Cola), Uno de Waal (Between 10and5), Quentin George (/UNBOUND/) and more… Please feel free to reference full list of speakers here: http://socialmediaweek.org/johannesburg/speakers
