Circa 2004, (think pre-iphone!) when the hairdresser asked how I wanted my hair styled for my brother's wedding I didn't need to think long about what my dream hair style would be ...'let's do finger waves!'. The hairdresser's face dropped in fear, but she quickly recomposed herself with a deep breath and said (more to herself than to me) 'I haven't done finger waves since years ago in beauty school...let's see if I can remember, um how??...'. It seemed to me she underestimated herself because this was the result and I was thrilled.

My first fingerwave, circa 2004

Finger waves...Marcel waves...flapper hair...however the waves are accomplished (vintage no-heat apparatus, hot curling iron or skilled hairdressers fingers) call me obsessed. And while there ARE different techniques, tools and names attributed to sculpting straight hair into undulating waves, I want to celebrate the overall aesthetic while at the same time adding clarity where I can with some "HerStory" along the way.

Actress Myrna Loy, circa 1925

Having a background in product design in the beauty industry, I wanted to bring these unique devices back to life from eras defined by their major hair waving obsession, the 1920's and 30's. Notably many of the hair waving accessories from these decades were designed by women, and today, most are a rare vintage find if you're lucky. Not so surprising- they're such unusual objects from a period that many of us find aesthetically fascinating.

Sears Roebuck catalogue early 1930s

So I'm pursuing this passion project to grow the accessibility to authentic vintage hair styles, to spread the beauty of waves, and to "Be Independent, Wave Your Own"!

From a hair waving accessory box, circa 1929

 

with gratitude,

Angela