Award-winning barber, Yasemin Hassan has announced the launch of Talking Textures. A groundbreaking exhibition which set to illuminate London’s Ugly Duck Venue with its launch on April 12th, 2024. Curated by Yasemin Hassan and captured through the lens of photographer Yeliz Zaifoglu, the photo series dives deep into the intricate relationship between beauty, cultural identity, and the resilient nature of hair, especially within the Southwest Asian & North African (SWANA) communities.

Talking Textures is more than just an exhibition; it’s a movement. Spanning across a series of 26 compelling photographs, a poignant short video, and an engaging panel discussion, the project aims to celebrate, educate, and redefine the cultural significance of textured hair. This initiative seeks to bring to light the challenges, beauty rituals, and the profound connection between hair and cultural identity in SWANA regions.

Yasemin Hassan, an award-winning hairdresser, has emerged as a pivotal figure for individuals with textured hair in London, particularly within the SWANA community. Her extensive experience on high-end fashion shoots and London Fashion Week 2023, coupled with personal conversations within her community, inspired the creation of Talking Textures. Yasemin’s mission is to decolonize perceptions of hair and address the underrepresentation of SWANA identities in the hair industry.

Working closely with Dania Arafeh, founder of 3EIB – a SWANA fashion platform reclaiming the Arabic word 3Eib, meaning ‘shame’ – this project is a reaction to the underlying shame that SWANA individuals often experience from others within their own cultures, as well as what we are taught in the mainstream media about beauty.

The exhibition runs from 12th April at Ugly Duck London, 49 Tanner St, London SE1 3PL.

For more information please visit www.instagram.com/talking_textures_

A study undertaken by RICS last year showed that 4 in 10 men in the UK won’t speak to their families, friends or health professionals if they are struggling with mental health, and shockingly, 75% of suicides in the UK are male.

Local business owner Christie Turner, owner of CT Barbering, has firsthand experience of the impact of untreated men’s mental health issues, having witnessed several male friends and family members’ struggle. Through the therapeutic nature of her conversations with clients, that can range from humorous and uplifting to deep and meaningful, she’s been able to help them through some difficult and challenging times and this motivated her to go further in addressing the stigma surrounding men’s mental wellbeing.

Drawing from her diverse experience in various barber shops, Christie recognises how the traditional barber environment can affect men’s mental health due to the societal attitudes towards male self-care and masculinity. She believes that nurturing the link between looking good and feeling good can make a positive difference.

With over a decade of experience, the business owner appreciates the significant role barbers play as regular touch points in men’s lives, offering a support system outside of family, friends and healthcare providers. Due to the close contact service and regularity of appointments (males in the UK visit a barber every 2.5 weeks on averageiv) she believes this is what helps to build that unique connection.

Utilising mental health mirror decals that encourage men to open up, a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and a range of wellness services including stress-relieving facials tailored to male skin types, the barber and qualified facialist hopes to identify early signs of struggle among her clients, offering them crucial support within the community.

Christie said: ‘The statistics around men’s mental health are devastating and highlight the urgent need for support. As a barber, I’m uniquely positioned in the community and have an opportunity to support them. I aspire to create an environment where men feel safe to express their feelings and share what’s going on in their lives, while promoting the importance of self-care through a range of accessible grooming and wellness services. The mental health support available through the NHS isn’t enough to tackle the epidemic of male suicide rates so I’m taking action to support as many men in my community as I can. Hopefully I can inspire others to do the same.’

You can find Christie at My T Sharp on Newnham Avenue or via her Instagram.