Jun 14, 2022

Styles: Intrinsic by Candice McKay, South Africa

Where do we as humans fit into the natural world. We are a part of it and it is a part of us.

We are the supposed guardians of this planet. We have named ourselves the top of the food chain, thinking we are most powerful. We humans often build roads and bridges, canals and ports, even entire cities at the expense of the environment. But nature isn't planning on giving up. On the contrary, it is determined to persevere, showing just how fragile our creations are.

Due to lockdowns and sudden lack of human maintenance. I saw fresh new habitat opening up, nature was marching in, pasting over the formerly concrete jungle with grasses and shrubbery. The pavements were cracking and providing new niches for seeds to take root. The general disintegration of these structures showing nature persevering and reclaiming.

Inspired by the Mazzy Star song “Fade into you”. A love song about loving someone whom is emotionally unavailable and loosing your own sense of self in the process. When I was planning this collection I kept thinking about how the song could relate to nature’s relationship with humankind and how our ego and self importance disconnects us from our intrinsic connection with nature.

I have been trying to reconnect and respect nature more. In the process I have learnt to respect myself more. My reemergence, was better understanding my priorities, before I created to try and impress others, I feel lI have come into my own and aim to inspire myself and enjoy the process of creating.

We have become so entangled with technology. I wanted to create a world of filterless fashion. Hairdressers are feeling insecure because of filters and fake tutorials which are weakening our industry. The collection is minimally retouched, the hair left true to shot. We created techniques that are easy to replicate within a normal salon day but are stimulating for both the hairdresser and client.

In this collection I wanted to create a timeless place, that would feel nostalgic but also otherworldly. Where theses feminine characters were interacting in a world being reclaimed by nature.

Natural colours in hair, inspired by nature. Mushroom, mulch, oyster, and natural fibers.

“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.” Joseph Campbell