The Slow Burn Of Hair Tinsel - Bethnal Green 2 Screen
Ever since Anora came out in cinemas on November 1st, I have been overwhelmed by people telling me to go and watch it due to me pioneering the trend that is Hair Tinsel, my signature for the last 7 years.
Often, what happens when multiple people tell me I should do or watch something is that I naturally push back. People have been telling me to watch the series Girls for years. But something about falling for a trend or possibly just resisting being told what to do, while simultaneously telling people what to do, makes me hold off. GO GET TINSEL since 2018, yes, pre-COVID.
I succumbed to the Anora whispers, and I was in awe and still am. I think about it a lot, actually. Mikey Maddison is a rocket. To see her flick her tinsel drenched hair and the sex appeal on the silver screen in such cinematic beauty was mesmerising. I could not have conjured up a more perfect character, a young sex worker from Brooklyn of Russian descent rocking something I’ve been cheerleading for years. Heart eyes emoji for 139 minutes. Perfection.
The way hair tinsel reflects light and sparkles means it really comes into action under sunlight or in party lights in the club. When you’re pushing through the crowd to get to the front left or wandering through London Fields in the summer sun, heads quite literally turn. So if you’re considering Hair Tinsel, you’re probably someone who doesn’t mind a little attention, or maybe you revel in it. If not, warning! People will quite literally stop you on the street or chat to you on the tube. Which, in itself, is rare in London. How can these fine sparkly strands be such a conversation starter?
Part of my tinsel joy is the people who wear it and the stories attached to it over the years. I once had a client who ran the fruit and veg stall on Portobello. Family business for 100 years. She used to see me every 6 weeks for gold tinsel, gold only, the kind of vibe you want when shopping for your weekly bananas.
Years ago, inside London’s Fabric Nightclub, my client Emily Rose noticed a girl across the bar with tinsel matching her own. She went over to speak to her and, after asking who did her tinsel, both screamed “EMMA” at the realisation. They became lovers of hair tinsel after being introduced to it by me. Emily even hired me to tinsel her entire bridal party last summer.
I have always said, hair tinsel does not discriminate. Since becoming a freelance stylist, one big change I made to my service was becoming gender-neutral. No longer working with big companies that feel the need to attach gender to an appointment, I’m able to base my time on hair length and complexity. If tinsel doesn’t require you to announce it, why would hair? Something we all have and have to upkeep.
There are two camps. The Special Occasion camp: I love you! You want the limelight for whatever social occasion you’re attending and aren’t afraid to outshine anyone. You’ll rock tinsel at a wedding, a festival weekend, or a Christmas party. But you’ll be back in 6 weeks to take it out because the little beads are annoying you somehow. And that’s fine! You’ve had your fun. Then there is The All Year Round camp! You guys DGAF. Comments from coworkers wash right over you. You know you look good in Sainsbury’s, even in your tracksuit and Uggs. You make the London Underground a happier place. Forget blondes having more fun, you guys are skipping to work.
So yeah, I’m passionate about hair tinsel. I love it! But I love it when you love it more… that really makes my day. I just tinselled Jordan Theresa this afternoon, and for the last 20 minutes, I swear we just took turns screaming. There’s just something about it.
I’m actually so happy hair tinsel has been catapulted into the ether. I hope you find the right time to experience the fun of it just once. It starts with a strand.
Love,
SoBob (the tinsel pusher)