Creative Ways to Style Braided Hair for Fashion Flair
- Charmaine Swasey
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
INSIDE THE CORNROWS AND COUTURE FASHION EXHIBITION
“Art, hair and fashion were always fascinating to me, little did I know I would be combining all three,” says licenSed Cosmetologist, Visual Braid Artist and Designer, and founder of Hair by Karyne, Karyne Tinord. Tinord, a Haitian-American woman born and raised in Brooklyn, expertises in painless Braiding. Moreover, she fashions the universal hairstyle of braids into a lifestyle by restyling braiding hair into artful clothing. “Each piece is handmade by me with only hair, no glue, no thread and no wires…just braiding hair,” says Tinord.
So, to celebrate this year’s Women’s History Month, Tinord evokes feminine energy in The Cornrows and Couture Roots and Royalty Fashion event located at The Crown Hotel on 50 Bowery, NY on March 11th, featuring her display of 4 individual articles of clothing all made from assorted-colored braided synthetic hair.
Thjngs Mag’s Charmaine Swasey had the opportunity to interview some of the models.
On her Instagram, fashion model Perpetua @perpetua1 shares why she decided to take part in this event. “I find that the art of hair is very special to me, especially as someone of West African Heritage, braids were my go to growing up and they're forever something that's a part of me.”
Here, Perpetua dons an intriguing, shapely gown with gold synthetic braided hair that extends into partial sleeves then knot downward over the bosom and lower stomach to form a bodice-like shape. Following that is long loose-hanging synthetic-braided hair that begins from the hips and ends approximately an inch above the ankles, made from blue, pink, and as a finishing touch, a gold synthetic-braided crown envelops around Perpetua’s head, invoking the image of Egyptian Queen Nefereti.
Another fashion model, Andrea Escajadillo @andreaescajadillo shares this about the current design she is wearing: “I feel sexy, empowered, and feel like these clothes are made for a woman because you can tell when a woman loves what they're wearing.”
Andrea rocks a tall crown made entirely of dark purple synthetic braids, and a matching one shoulder piece over a bralette that cascades into a dramatic twisting drape design from right to left and hits near the knees Furthermore, a reverse cascade begins from the back of the shoulder to the front of the midriff. Thus, a sashay effect takes place with every move the model makes.
The next model dons a design made of gold synthetic cornrow braids that take the shape of a bralette, along with a covering layer that serves the appearance of a gold chain dress. Also, the model flaunts a matching headpiece with ringlets hanging down from all sides, the ends embellished with silver beads. The overall look of this crown poses a similarity to a Yemaya crown which is significant to the Yoruba and Santeria traditions to honor Yemaya, the Orisha (a divine goddess) associated with motherhood, fertility, and the sea.
Janiya @thejaniyashow “I feel confident, I feel resilient, I feel creative, being able to tap into a brand that honestly creates clothes curating brands. I'm speechless. To be able to be a model in representation of such a creative brand during Women's History Month and to exemplify the same colors that talks about royalty and richness is so great as well.”
