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Hair for You

Hair is more than just strands; it is a witness, a storyteller, and a carrier of cultural and personal significance. Hair for You is an exploration of my relationship with hair—one that spans identity, tradition, and collective memory.

From childhood through adulthood, my hair has been a canvas for self-expression, reflecting moments of transformation—breakups, new beginnings, struggles with gender identity, and evolving understandings of self. In 2010, a significant turning point came when I shaved my head, unknowingly setting the foundation for a project that would unfold over time.

In India, hair holds deep cultural and symbolic weight. It is nurtured, removed in rituals, adorned in celebrations, and subjected to societal expectations. Long hair, in particular, carries the burden of morality, shaping identities across gender, religion, and social norms. Having actively shaped my hair for three decades, I was captivated by the discovery that hair could be a biomaterial—a medium to create with.

Braiding, a generational practice in South Asian culture, became the foundation of this project. It evokes memories of childhood weekends spent oiling and plaiting hair with family—a time for bonding and storytelling. To recreate this communal experience, I enlisted my students in the process of crafting approximately 235 braids, using three different colors of hair to symbolize interwoven generational narratives. Together, through shared labor and conversation, we wove something beyond just braids—we wove connection.

The project culminates in four wearable pieces, each embodying a distinct interpretation of these braided stories:

  1. The Chest Plate: A sculpted armor of interwoven generations, holding the wisdom and resilience of those before us, close to the heart.

  2. The Skirt: A piece with no fixed form, much like braiding itself—fluid, adaptable, and ever-evolving.

  3. The Side-Hanging Braids: A celebration of joy and fleeting freedoms, adorned with crystal-encased ends, symbolizing shared generational experiences.

  4. The Pallu: A hidden yet vital narrative, where younger voices lead the elders toward an inclusive future, leaving space for new stories to be added.

There is no right or wrong way to wear these pieces, just as there is no singular way to tell a story. Each braid, each twist, holds its own truth, yet together, they create something beautiful—just like the communities that shape us.

Presentation

Here is my Final Presentation Showcase

Movie

Here is my Final Video