THE BRONNER BROTHERS BRING IT!

As a graphic/web designer I am always fascinated by new colors, textures and trends. Although I’m not big on experimenting with hairstyles (most days I just resort to a messy bun), I look forward to seeing the creative styles each year at the Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show. The event never disappoints when it comes to bright hues and bold shapes. The 2016 show was held in Atlanta this past weekend and I wish I could have been there.

The Bronner Bros. Show draws several thousand predominantly African-American beauty entrepreneurs, hairstylists, and make-up artists from all over the globe and it’s unofficially known as the World’s Biggest Celebration of Black Hair. Some of this year’s noteworthy stylists in attendance were: Neal Farina (Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige), Sam Fine (Tyra Banks, Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle, Iman), Takisha Sturdivant-Drew (Kerry Washington, Sanaa Lathan, Amber Riley), Andre Walker (Oprah, Halle Berry) and Johnny Wright (First Lady Michelle Obama).

Sadly, certain people marginalize the creativity and  innovation that stems from the show as being “urban” or “ratchet”. While some of the looks are extreme, they are no more outrageous than some of the hair/fashion/makeup seen on the runways of the World’s most celebrated couture designers. Simply stated, much of what is seen at The Bronner Bros. Show is exactly that – a “show”. It’s art, it’s extreme, it’s editorial; it’s not for every day.

The make-up and manicures were just as coloful as the hair at the show this year. Vibrant polish and intricate nail art has been common in the African-American community for decades, but it wasn’t embraced by the mainstream until the glossy magazines dubbed it “accent nails” and gave it their blessing a few years ago. Don’t even get me started on the movement to rebrand cornrows as “boxer braids” and credit the trend to none other than Kim Kardashian *sigh*.

Fortunately, the foresight of Nathaniel Bronner Sr. and Arthur Bronner Sr. to create an event for education, entrepreneurship and innovation in the beauty industry continues to bear fruit for generations to come.

Professionals in the hair and beauty industries look to the Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show as a GPS for the year’s trends…and graphic/web designers like me (with messy buns and nude nails), look to the show as colorful dose of inspiration. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2017!

Photo Sources: photo one, photo two, photo three, photo four, photo five