‘Oh You Fancy! Black Hair & Fashion’ Exhibit Opens at The Wright

The newest exhibit at Detroit’s Wright Museum, Oh You Fancy! Black Hair & Fashion, packs in both style and substance. On the fashion side, expect a display of 50 objects, from high-fashion pieces to menswear to shoes from 31 skilled designers. Co-curator Jennifer Evans says, “I’m hoping people will just see the scale of how many black designers there are and also how many different areas – if you’re interested in fashion – are available.”

Peruse pieces from the collections of Ghanaian-born Mimi Plange, Detroit native Tracy Reese and more. “I tried to pick a good flavor of local Detroit, national (and) international and that kind of showed the eclectic-ness of black designers all over the world and how they show their history and their culture through their work, and how they’re on par with the white designers who are probably more well-known,” Evans says.

And of the nine mostly local hair stylists showcasing their work, co-curator Erin Falker says, “They have responded to the story of African-American hair in their own way. I want people to think of stylists and hair designers as artists, to realize that what they do is a craft, and they love it.” The hair exhibit walks through black hair from Africa onward, featuring styled mannequin heads and other objects. Falker wants viewers to walk away feeling “pride in the way they look and what’s on top of their heads.” It’s a crown, after all, she says. “You should take care of it and cherish it, because it’s yours.”

Exhibit on display till Jan. 16 • Free with general admission