Fashion

Evolution of Hair Extensions: Closures and Frontals

The hair and beauty industry has witnessed remarkable advancements over the years, with evolving trends that enhance both aesthetics and versatility.

One of the most significant transformations in hairstyling is the shift from traditional weave-on extensions to modern closures and frontals.

In the late 1990s, weave-ons were the preferred choice for women looking to add length and volume to their natural hair.

However, with contemporary innovations, closures and frontals have emerged as the new standard, providing a seamless, natural appearance while allowing for greater styling flexibility.

These hairpieces have become an essential part of hairstyling for various occasions, including weddings, parties, religious gatherings, and other social events.

Understanding Closures and Frontals serves the common purpose of enhancing hair volume and styling options while creating a natural-looking hairline.

They differ in structure, coverage, and styling versatility:

Frontals: A frontal is a hairpiece that extends from ear to ear, usually measuring 13 inches in width and 4 to 6 inches in depth.

It provides a full hairline and allows for diverse parting styles, offering the illusion of a completely natural hairline.

Frontals are typically sewn onto bundles or used to construct full wigs, allowing for maximum styling flexibility.

Closures: A closure is a smaller hairpiece, often measuring around 4×4 inches, and is placed at the crown or front section of the head. Unlike frontals, closures offer limited parting space, making them suitable for more defined and structured hairstyles.

However, closures are low-maintenance and provide a realistic finish that seamlessly blends with natural hair.

These innovative hairpieces offer a more seamless and natural look, elevating confidence and allowing for versatile styling options.

As the industry continues to evolve, closures and frontals remain a preferred choice for women seeking sophisticated, stylish, and convenient hair solutions.

By Georgina Boadiwaa Ntim

Fashion

Sneakers: rainy season’s style essential

The rise in sneaker during the rains is not just about fashion, but also about necessity. Unlike sandals that leave feet exposed or leather shoes that easily soak, sneakers provide better protection against the unpredictable weather.

They keep feet dry, offer stronger grip on wet surfaces, and still allow wearers to express individuality through design and style.

The types of sneakers available today give wearers plenty of options to match both lifestyle and weather needs. Waterproof sneakers, crafted from weather-resistant materials, shield feet from the heaviest downpours.

Sneakers provide extra ankle coverage, making them perfect for wet and muddy areas. Lightweight canvas sneakers, when treated with water-resistant sprays, offer breathable comfort, while luxury designer sneakers bring a polished edge to rainy-day outfits.

Beyond variety, sneakers are versatile enough to be styled with almost anything. They pair effortlessly with jeans, casual dresses, skirts, and even semi-formal wear, proving that functionality does not have to cancel out fashion.

In a season where safety and comfort are just as important as appearance, sneakers strike the perfect balance.

For today’s fashion-conscious individual, sneakers are more than footwear; they are the rainy season’s ultimate companion, blending necessity with style in every stride.

By: Georgina Boadiwaa Ntim

Fashion

ATU students turn on style at fashion show

Elegance and style took centre stage as the final year students of the Department of Fashion and Textiles at the Accra Technical University (ATU) exhibited their designs at the National Theatre in Accra.

Amidst some soulful melodies, students cat-walked the runway with striking fusion of African prints, assorted fabrics drawing inspiration from themes like nature and cultural heritage.

Themed ‘Promoting African heritage: our pride, our passion’ the event saw 421 students showcasing not only a fulfilled academic requirement but also served as a platform to ignite creativity and innovation among students.

With a focus on encouraging budding designers to carve a niche for themselves, the event resonated with the spirit of originality.

Head of Department of Fashion and Textiles at ATU, Dr Emma Donkor, urged students to use fashion as a tool to tell their story in order to promote and preserve cultural identity.