Taiba Akhuetie: The designer creating hair-raising fashion10 Images
She’s dressed Tems and Cate Blanchett, designed looks for Fiorucci catwalks, and even produced five-metre walls of hair for London institutions. Taiba Akhuetie has taken hair off the head, creating hypnotic clothes, accessories, furniture and displays. Her unique medium has been gathering attention on social media over the past few years, though it’s a hobby she picked up during lockdown.
After being forced to stop working as a hairstylist during the pandemic, Akhuetie got creative – though really, she always had been. Growing up just outside of London in a Nigerian household, she studied film and soon began working in the hair industry, assisting a stylist and then launching her own custom braid bar, Keash, a decade ago.
2024 has been a lifechanging year for Akhuetie, and she doesn’t plan on slowing down as we head into the new year (she has a “crazy exhibition” in her sights). We get to know the artist whose work you’re about to be seeing everywhere, from catwalks to restaurants, umbrellas and beyond.
When did you first start working with hair in this way and what inspired you to start?
Taiba Akhuetie: I first started working with hair this way in 2020. It was during lockdown and I genuinely needed to figure out how I could continue working with hair without relying on people. Since then I have just been going crazy with my art. Honestly hair is my paint and I find it so exciting to work with.
How did studying film influence your work?
Taiba Akhuetie: I love film and I think my passion for it at a young age is one of the reasons why I have such a good eye and why I am so good with compositions and creating interesting narratives. But at some point I realised that I wanted to create with my hands and hair became something I ran with.
What are the similarities between filmmaking and hair styling?
Taiba Akhuetie: I think the similarities are that there’s always a start, middle and end. The journey from start to end can go in so many different ways, but ultimately with both filmmaking and hair styling, you are telling a story. The inspiration in both industries can be either just wanting to create something visually beautiful, or even wanting to recreate history.
Can you talk me through the inspiration for the shoot?
Taiba Akhuetie: In my head I saw this as a celebration of hair texture and, as it is a celebration, I wanted to create something grand but fun.
How important was the casting process for the shoot? Can you explain how you went about it?
Taiba Akhuetie: Super important. I am lucky to be represented by Elite [Model Management] which has an incredible roster of models so they sent me over a list of models to select from. Casting is dependent on the hair tones and textures I use.
How long did each of the three looks take to create?
Taiba Akhuetie: I was working on the blonde gown for about seven days because I did it all by hand. The curly hair suit took about a day. The braided top took me about 3 days as it was my first real, braided, wearable art, so I was figuring things out along the way. The curly hair skirt took about a day.
Are there any other designers or hair stylists you are inspired by?
Taiba Akhuetie: My inspiration is not limited to hairstylists and designers. I actually find myself more inspired by people I see on the street, film characters, shapes and colours I see.
What’s been your favourite professional moment, whether that be a campaign or someone you’ve dressed?
Taiba Akhuetie: I don’t have one, but I loved Cate Blanchett wearing a top I made from my collaboration with Fiorucci. Also the umbrella moment shot by Bafic has inspired my colour palette and given me incredible ideas for next year.
What do you have planned for 2025?
Taiba Akhuetie: A crazy exhibition. I want people to really see my world and what goes on in my head. I want to make people feel overstimulated and stunned.
Art: TAIBA AKHUETIE, photography JEBI LABEMBIKA, make-up AIMEE TWIST, models TASS SARR, RIYA SHARMA and MOLLY SOLOMON, artist assistant ELLA CRAWFORD, BTS ANNA COX, location TRUMAN BREWERY
