NC: Can you tell me about your curly hair story?
KG: Growing up, I never knew a woman who wore her hair naturally curly. Me and all of my sisters were accustomed to having our hair relaxed every six to eight weeks and wearing our hair straight. It wasn’t until I moved to Richmond, VA that I began seeing black women wearing their hair in its naturally curly state. I NEVER ever thought about going natural a day in my life until about 3 years ago. All of a sudden I had a desire to see what my hair would look like if I stopped relaxing. I transitioned once, then relaxed. The second time I couldn’t take the transitioning any longer as my hair began to grow into the size of a football helmet. So one day I called a friend and told her I was coming over for the Big Chop. I’ll never forget looking into the mirror and asking myself “what have I done.” I was mortified, but I knew that it was too late, and the journey began.
I wish I could say that it was a smooth transition, but it was not. I had to go through the process of relearning who I was and what defined me as beautiful. I had to relearn everything my mom and stylist had ever told me about caring for my hair and scalp while enduring the ridicule I was receiving from those around me. But as the months went by, the love for myself grew, and I realized that as a result of me breaking out of a “box” the society had placed me in, I indirectly inspired a ton of other women to jump out of their boxes as well.
NC: Let’s talk a bit about the event: when, where, cost to enter, type of vendors, how often…?
KG: Return of the Curls will take place Saturday July 28 from 10am – 7pm at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street Richmond, VA 23219. The entry fee is just $15 for the entire event. The type of vendors will range from hair products to jewelry, accessories and such. This event will take place once a year in Richmond, VA but will begin traveling to other cities and states in 2013.
NC: What can attendees expect to see and experience at the event?
KG: Attendees will not only be able to come together with over 1000 other women with curly hair, but women of all races who have the same questions or concerns about caring for their curly hair. They can expect to see Jess with Jessicurl who will be on stage conducting a live styling demonstration. The CURLS styling team will teach on “How to achieve effortless, frizz, free, curls.” Maryjo of Imago Salon, a Richmond favorite, will be on stage conducting a live demonstration. And finally, Nina Ellis-Hervey (“Beautiful Brown Babydol” of YouTube”> will be gracing the stage sharing her hair and weight loss journey along with a host of other on-stage demonstrations and workshops.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience Richmond’s first ever Curly Hair/Fashion Show featuring up and coming models, designers and hair stylists as well as some “surprise” curlies on the runway that evening.
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