Fesa Nu’s gravity-defying braids and twists have been seen on the likes of Yara Shahidi and Mereba.
Fesa Nu Wants You to See Hair as a Form of Poetry
With her sculptural, gravity-defying braids and twists, Fesa Nu—who has worked with musicians and actors like Mereba, Chika, and Yara Shahidi— is a self-described hair poet. “These days, I actually get offended when people consider me a hairstylist,” she says. “No disregard to hairstylists out there, because that’s where I started.” Nu went to cosmetology school at Royal Beauty College in Los Angeles, California, where she learned about the specifics of skin, scalp, and hair care. Now, her focus is on editorial work that evokes an emotional response. “A lot of times when styling, we’re put into a box, where we’re expected to do what everyone else wants and rarely get to showcase what we love. I call myself a hair poet so that people know what they’re going to get when they book Fesa. You’re going to get some poetry.” Her work is rooted in traditional African styles—taking inspiration from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and her homeland of South Africa—while still being distinctly hers: flat twists flow into spiral-shaped faux locs that trace the center of the scalp like a mohawk; a braided crown cascades into hanging braided hoops. “I love to create African-inspired hairstyles, and revamp them and really make them my own.”
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Akili King
