I think we all know what a bob looks like but the history of this much copied vintage hairstyle is just as exciting as the hairstyle itself. You Should Also Read:No Muss, No fuss, - Home Hair ColorAchieve The Look - Rene' RussoYour Wedding HairEditor's Picks ArticlesTop Ten ArticlesPrevious FeaturesSite Map It is truly a wonderful profession to be apart of. Get inspired by the variations of the Bob-cut! So if you are looking for a new look that is sophisticated and stylish as well as appropriate for the office and easy to care for, there is very likely a bob that is perfect for you. Thank you Vidal for your efforts in our craft that gave me the wonderful opportunity to be so proud of our profession. Nowadays bobs remind me of boredom and conformity. Sounds like a stylish bob you have there, Sue. Ross was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, on October 29, 1942, to Jack and Ollie Ross. But try telling that to the hairstyle's latest throng of fans, many of whom have been inspired to go back in time for the short-long look by Netflix's Stranger Things. Everyone from Whitney Houston to Courtney Love and even Emo Phillips expresses personal style through the bob haircut. Here are a 10 iconic styles and their history. Thanks. They all wear a more sophisticated, natural and less severe version of the bob haircut throughout the 1930s and 40s. Revolutionary! Currently grown into a jaw length and who knows maybe to the shoulder. Copyright (c) Minerva Webworks LLC All Rights Reserved. Whilst many inverted bob haircuts look best on medium to thick hair, if you have fine hair you can add ‘body’ with a wavy perm. The Bob: history of a hairstyle Joan of Arc. But try telling that to the hairstyle's latest throng of fans, many of whom have been inspired to go back in time for the short-long look by Netflix's Stranger Things. The tomb of Tutankhamun and other mummified relics had been discovered by archaeologists by the 1920s. I really like your article, but to be honest, I’m not a fan of bobs. However, modernists such as Antoineare more willing to cooperate and cut styles that fit around the latest hat fashions. In 1920 a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is published in the USA’s Saturday Evening Post magazine. Irene Castle gives the short-haired look an air of respectability for American women. Previous wearers of a short haircut were not considered respectable, such as French actress Polaire. Many women also cover up their short bob style on certain occasions by using creatively designed hairpiece pins (postiches) to hide the shorn section at the back of the neck. Hi – when we styled our hair , be it short or longer, we used to leave a curl on each cheek of hair which we kind of stuck it onto our cheeks with spit or something. The 20th Century bob hairstyle symbolises the independent, progressive and spirited woman. The original style was worn straight and flat on top or waved with a Marcel iron. Irene decides to go to dinner with her new short look uncovered and boom! The look of the rows of waves and layers over a closely shorn neck closely resemble the row of sloping shingles used on a roof. The current rise in popularity is just another in the ongoing cycle of popular hairstyles. Bob has been primary the group of trend hairstyles for decades. A radical change from the norm for women’s haircuts, the bob took a firm hold in the 1920s, and its popularity extended into the next decade. It made its first foray into public consciousness in 1915 when the … Trial records of the time describe her as having hair cropped above the ears, similar to her male contemporaries’ pudding bowl haircut (not a stylish look by any means). History of the Bob Hairstyle The Bob wasn't invented in the 1920's. Rebellious Dutch hairdresser Christiaan Houtenbos creates the buzz bob in 1984. Although the bob has faded from the style front on occasion it has always been in the back-ground showing sophistication and class. The training allow me to have a confidence level that inspired my creatve eye for suitability for each client. A good hairdresser would know how to cut this type of bob, though, so just ask for what you want and get it trimmed regularly. Vidal Sassoon, the man who invented modern hairdressing, dies aged 84. Strong female personas throughout history have been defined by their bob hairstyle. It is short, geometric, angular, unfussy. The bob haircut is an ever fashionable style that first made its appearance in the 1920's and has reappeared, as the trend, many times since. You can use gel to create the wet look and it is considered pretty cool. Demand Media, Inc. May 8, 2013. Kind regards to you. In fact the bob is no longer a symbol of liberation or modernity in the 1990s. Irene admits to being a very practical woman and had decided to cut her hair short prior to an appendectomy (to avoid needing to comb her hair while in hospital). x. Thank you Sarah. Cl The machine effectively used a boiled alkaline solution. The bob haircut is blooming around social media, so in honour of Antoni de Paris, we have picked out 6 It-girls from today who makes the hairstyle their own. The Long Bob Hairstyles have been making everyone astonished since they were invented. Meanwhile, back in Paris, Eastern styles are becoming highly fashionable in 1910 following a run of Scheherazade by the Ballet Russe: pantaloons, turbans and looser shapes inspired by the Arabian Nights tales. An enjoyable read, thank you! 1920s HAIRSTYLE ARTICLES. Image source: Arthur Schatz for Life Magazine Now at this point, straightened hair blurs the line between edges and the start of longer growth. This hairstyle would eventually epitomize the hippie culture of the 1970s, but it's perhaps best embodied by Cher, who became a style icon during the middle of the decade thanks to her hit with Sonny Bono, "I Got You Babe." Anything goes style wise these days so I’m always surprised how many compliments I get from strangers on my bob – most people have more relaxed styles so it does stand out (nothing ‘office lady’ about it, Lana!). Also make it come forward on the cheeks like the 1920’s girls.. The bob evolves through the movie star styles of Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Katherine Hepburn, Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers. Bobs will often now signify a relatively safe alternative: retro, chic, edgy, vintage, arty. Housewives are wearing their hair in a structured bob almost sitting like a helmet on the head and gallons of hairspray. Follow. Indeed some women even keep the hair that had been cut off only to re-attach it when the occasion called for them to be more ‘traditional’. Cold War Period - Alo B.T. In France the bob is referred to as ‘coupe a la Jeanne D’Arc’. Here you’ll be able to find both perfect solutions of bob hairstyles for thick hair and flattering bob haircuts for fine hair. As is usual with the 20th Century, the movies and media play a big part in promoting and popularising the fashion of the day with many women copying the styles of their filmstar idols. © 2021 V is for Vintage. Not so good for the hair. In fact, historical findings have suggested that dreads were also the hairstyle of choice for popular bible figures like John the Baptist and Samson. Thoroughly Modern Millie, a musical film starring Julie Andrews is released in 1967. You might want to see bob haircuts that are popular and stylish here, https://boysandgirlshairstyles.wordpress.com/. I can also Weimar it using product to create that chorus girl Cabaret severity, a flash of daring red on the lips and smoky eyes or take a section at the front, gather with a band, push forward, secure with a hair slide and I have the front of a chignon. History of the Bob Hairstyle The Bob wasn't invented in the 1920's. It has been disputed whether or not she wears braided hair or some sort of a woven basket on her head. It is a great talent to have the ability to cut a creative bob and to transform hair into an art form (and to teach this skill to others). The oldest known reproduction of hair braiding may go back about 30,000 years: the Venus of Willendorf, now known in academia as the Woman of Willendorf, is a female figurine estimated to have been made between about 28,000 and 25,000 BCE. 10 1930s & 1940s The first successful perm technique was … All rights reserved. The moptop was started by Beatle-friend Jurgen Vollmer in the 1950s. Young women take interest in the future and distance themselves from the stuffy austere past of their parents (does this sound familiar?). What little things we are to have caused all that trouble.”. Thank you for this great article. At this time milliners still dominate over hairdressers – there had always been tension between the two competing professions. During that era, women who wanted to soften their look and style their hair used their fingers to create waves -- thus, the finger waving technique was created. Alexandre Godefoy invented the first electric hair dryer in 1890. Contact Thankfully it’s not so much in use these days. Posted by ahren on November 19, 2003 at 11:58:57: Previous Next. Cl Curls were given to the hair with heated scissors irons. This, along with the ease of styling most adaptations are likely reasons for its tendency to keep reappearing on the style scene. Pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart wore cropped hair. The long Bob aka lobs are the selection of girls who want to break their categorized look dilemmas. One day Jurgen left his hair hanging over his face after he had gone swimming. posted by Jenn on November 19, 2003 at 11:29:35: You are quite right. 1. Fitzgerald called her the first American flapper. No surprise: the traditional stands as effective as any girl, is versatile and an easy task to style. 12. Who invented the military haircut, in the 1930s, Japanese women started using bun models that concealed their ears. There is a thing with wet hair and fashion. Named for Francois Marcel, 19th century French hairdresser who invented the process in 1872. 23.12.2019 - Who invented the Bob hairstyle? In the 1920s, he introduced the shingle cut which became popular with daring young women — the Bloomsbury set and flappers. The long Bob aka lobs are the selection of girls who want to break their categorized … Permanent Wave The electric Perm was introduced. The style was, at first, shocking as women who previously prided themselves on long, luxurious hair, chopped off their … For a time, Ross worked with his father doing carpentry. The bob also goes retro in the mid-80s as jazz and nostalgic music become popular for a while. Bobs come in all shapes, sizes and colours and even become popular with men looking for an air of French sophistication (men have been successfully getting away with bobs in France for sometime now). The bob has an amazing history and symbolism. In 1909, Antoni Cierplikowski, called Antoine de Paris, Polish hairdresser who became the world's first celebrity hairdresser, started a fashion for a short bob cut, which was inspired by Joan of Arc. The sleek bob in the style of Louise Brooks also becomes a very popular look. Here are the most iconic ones from 1920-1969. Those are great information on the evolution of bob hairstyle. The pageboy look is most definitely ‘in’ and many take to wearing this low-maintenace cut: Kate Jackson in Charlie’s Angels and Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers. Bobbed hair belongs to the age of freedom, frankness, and progressiveness.” from “Why I Bobbed My Hair,” Pictorial Review, April 1927 (www.historymatters.gmu.edu). Ross’ father was a carpenter and builder. Previous to the curling iron, women had to curl their hair by simply using rags and letting the hair dry naturally. How to style: If you have naturally curly hair, use some wet set gel right after the shower to create the wet look. Black History Month is among us and it's only right to acknowledge and pay homage to the ones who have helped pave the way for people of color everywhere. So credit due to my hair stylist for being so talented – the five point bob is one of the hardest styles to create in hairdressing. Lets discuss hair! I’m sorry for those bad assiciations, but this is my personal opinion. Hairstyles have long been signifiers of culture, religion and values. This is also the year that St Joan was beatified and the French become obsessed (WW1 allied soldiers later carry her image with them to help defend France). The story is titled Bernice Bobs Her Hair and tells the tale of a young sweet girl who is transformed into an avenging vamp merely by getting a bob haircut. There is also a new type of textured bob which was messier and layered, influenced by the punk/Indie look: Beatrice Dalle in Betty Blue (above); Samantha Mathis and Winona Ryder. Finger waving, as the name implies, curls the hair using your fingers and a comb. You don’t need length to make a statement. More information can be found in these articles. Hairdressers, more accustomed to styling and waving long hair, are shocked to discover that the urge to bob is taking on a fervour that they need to take advantage of. I personally was fortunate to be a stylist and educator for the Vidal Sassoon CO in our Madison Ave salon in the 70s when there was a hair explosion in creative cutting design. The haircut is a side-swept bob in the front with spikey and much shorter hair in the back. At this time, in New York, hairdressing salons did not really exist in great numbers. Think Louise Brooks in… well…all of her silent movies. for details. And enjoying the blessings of short hair is a necessary part of those fashion changes. Good luck, Laura, bobs are beautiful. The Long Bob Hairstyles have been making everyone astonished since they were invented. From the front it can look like a classic bob cut but the back is shaved underneath the shape. For me, the bob will always be the epitomé of French style from Joan of Arc to Polaire to Coco Chanel to Betty Blue to Amelie. (Photo: Victoria Beckham) Even recently, with Karlie Kloss’ hair, it took almost a year and a half for people to really grasp and embrace it. Fitzgerald’s wife Zelda was also a wearer of the bob style and the flapper attitude to match it. This can easily be done by turning the long hair under at the nape of the neck and pinning it into place (see picture, right). The stylist opened his first salon in London in 1954 and helped shape the look of the Swinging Sixties The colour and cut is wonderful. Soon, a new hairstyle emerged amidst the prevailing trend of long tresses—the short bob. Think Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. In India, where the hair care industry is a $3.3 billion business, colorants account for 18% of the overall hair category and have been growing 15% a year, according to a report by Nielsen. This time the bob is easier to style as the shape lies in the cut and can be styled at home. Learn more... Finger Waving Finger waving added style to harsh bobs It is a jolly pastiche of the 1920s flapper girl attitude and continues the late 1960s love affair with 1920s style and culture. Vidal Sassoon, the man who invented modern hairdressing, dies aged 84. Fashion designers Jean Muir and Mary Quant, at the heart of Swinging Sixties London, become known for making fashionable the 1960s bob. Pictorial Press Ltd./Alamy Stock Photo. For me, I associate the mop with Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, but you decide which looks more like a mop. The history of the mullet is rather short. Subscribe for free weekly updates from this Hair site. Josephine Baker is known for this type of severe hairstyle. A collarbone, chin-length or cropped styles are equally beneficial for hair that lacks body. Sassoon begins another bob revolution that speaks to liberated young women. No surprise: the traditional stands as effective as any girl, is versatile and an easy task to style. Finger-waving also became popular in the 1920s as women mould their hair into amazing undulating shapes using just their fingers, curling lotion and a comb. It’s slightly feminine on him, which I like, and very flattering and stylish.