From Beyoncé to Zoe Kravitz, Why Braids Were the Hairstyle of the Decade - Teen Vogue

Chinka Mayıs 04, 2022

From Beyoncé to Zoe Kravitz, Why Braids Were the Hairstyle of the Decade - Teen Vogue

Posted: 20 Dec 2019 06:01 AM PST

To mark the 21st century making it through its teen years, the #20teens is a series from Teen Vogue that celebrates the best in culture, politics, and style from the last decade.

On December 9, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter announced the relaunch of her clothing line, Ivy Park, by posting on Instagram a picture of herself in burgundy and ivory beaded braids spelling out the brand name. The same day, she appeared on the cover of Elle Magazine, shot by her frequent collaborator Melina Matsoukas, in jumbo messy box braids. Two back-to-back instances in which the pop star, who spent the first years of her career in braided hairstyles, decided to show pride and appreciation for Black culture, almost as if she's going back to her roots.

It makes for a strong argument that braids and locs, in all of their styles and intricacies, were the hairstyle that defined this decade. Styles such as cornrows have been around since pre-colonization Africa, but in the 2010s, we saw an influx of celebrities, creatives, and influencers wearing a variety of braided styles that put the artistry and tradition of hair braiding front and center. Braids are no longer just a summer style to be worn on vacation or playing sports, or a nostalgic hair memory to reminisce about — with the resurgence of the natural hair movement, Black women are tucking away their hair in all seasons, at all ages and for any occasion. Thus, braids became one way Black people are unapologetically showing up as themselves in Hollywood, in media, and in the workplace.

Beyoncé is not the only celebrity often seen wearing braids, cornrows, or locs recently. Regina King graced Entertainment Weekly as Entertainer of the Year in purple braids. Rihanna arrived at the 2019 British Fashion Awards in a maze-like cornrow design (and on the covers of Allure, i-D, and Lui magazine with chunky, loose braids). Braid styles are part of FKA twigs's signature look. Young M.A emerged with her popular song "OOOUUU" with four plaited braids hitting her shoulders. Fashion runways, editorials, and ad campaigns are full of black models with cornrows and intricate braiding styles. Halle Bailey will star in The Little Mermaid next year with her locs. Most recently, Nia Franklin wore braids while serving as Miss America 2019, and the rapper Chika appeared on Teen Vogue's December cover in a braided crown by hairstylist Lacy Redway.

This past decade, with the help of celebrities like Solange Knowles, Janelle Monae, Justine Skye, Jordyn Woods, Yara Shahidi, Gabrielle Union, Alicia Keys, Amandla Sternberg, Ciara, Tessa Thompson, Marsai Martin, Serena and Venus Williams, Zoe Kravtiz, Lupita Nyong'o, Willow Smith, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Keke Palmer, we saw braids take center stage on red carpets and on the covers of magazines.