Courtesy of David Humphries and Hair Wars
In the nightclubs of Detroit, way back in 1985, a DJ known as David “Hump the Grinder” Humphries started throwing a weekly party known as the “Exotic Hair Night.” Here, hairstylists sent models onto the stage sporting the latest looks that drove the crowd wild – and subsequently ushered business into their salons every weekend.
.
Word got out and the party quickly took off. Realising he had a good thing going, Humphries re-conceptualised the show and created Hair Wars: a platform for hair education and entertainment that has taken the United States by storm for more than 30 years.
.
Whether featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal, on “America’s Next Top Model,” in the book Hair Wars by David Yellen, or most recently as part of an event hosted at New York’s MoMA P.S.1, Hair Wars has become the synonymous with style, fashion, and art – it is the place to break new looks, set the trends, and create works of fantasy so spectacular you’ll barely be able to believe your eyes.
.
Returning to Detroit on April 15, this year’s edition of Hair Wars is dedicated to “The Musical” – and it’s likely that it will feature plenty of looks worthy of the biggest divas you can imagine. Ahead of the show, we caught up with David Humphries, as he talks us through what it takes to transform weaves and wigs into bonafide works of art.
.
.
Courtesy of David Humphries and Hair Wars
Courtesy of David Humphries and Hair Wars