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
In the bustling streets of Accra, braided crowns, coiled Afros, and beaded locks are more than fashion statements. They are living testaments to heritage, resilience, and identity.
The Afro, which rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s, was more than a hairstyle. It became a symbol of defiance against Eurocentric beauty standards and a proud declaration of Black identity.
But the story of African hair stretches back centuries. Ancient carvings from Egypt depict intricate braids and cornrows, styles that carried messages of social status, age, and even spirituality. Across West Africa, beads and cowrie shells were woven into hair, turning each head into a canvas of culture and artistry.
“Hair was never just hair,” says cultural historian Ama Ofori. “It was a language, a way of telling the world who you were and where you came from.”
Colonial rule attempted to suppress these traditions, branding natural hair as ‘unruly.’ Yet, generations later, the revival of the Afro and traditional styles has reclaimed that narrative. Today, braids, twists, and Afros are celebrated on runways, in music videos, and on city streets worldwide.
For many young Africans, embracing natural hair is both a fashion choice and a way of honouring ancestors while shaping modern identity. “When I wear my Afro,” says student and stylist Efua Mensah, “I feel connected to history. It’s not just style, it’s strength.”
As the global fashion industry increasingly embraces African-inspired looks, the Afro reminds us that beauty is not only about trends. It is about heritage, pride, and the stories carried in every strand.
By Beatrice Wornovi
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AS Ghana Month unfolds this March, the streets and schools are alive with colour, fabric, and nostalgia. Old-school outfits, once everyday wear, have returned as proud symbols of heritage, reminding Ghanaians of the artistry woven into their past.
From the crisp secondary school uniforms of the 1970s to the bold kaba and slit styles worn by mothers and aunties, these outfits carry stories of discipline, elegance, and identity. The Afro style, paired with bell-bottom trousers or neatly pressed shirts, were once the hallmark of youthful rebellion and confidence.
Traditional fabrics like Kente and Smock remain central to Ghanaian fashion. Once reserved for chiefs and ceremonies, they now appear in classrooms, offices, and parades during Ghana Month, symbolising unity and pride.
“When I wear my Smock, I feel connected to my roots,” says Kwame Asare, a teacher in Tamale. “It is more than clothing; it is history stitched into fabric,” he added.
Old-school fashion also tells the story of Ghana’s social evolution. The platform shoes and polka-dot dresses of the 1980s reflected global influences, while braided hairstyles and headscarves kept tradition alive. Today, young designers are reimagining these looks, blending vintage cuts with modern flair.
For many, dressing in old-school outfits during Ghana Month is not about nostalgia. It is a way of honouring ancestors, celebrating resilience, and teaching the next generation that fashion is culture.
“Our clothes remind us where we come from,” says stylist Efua Mensah. “They are our crown, our pride, and our story.”
As Ghana celebrates its independence and heritage this month, the revival of old-school outfits proves that fashion is never just about trends. It is about memory, identity, and the timeless threads that bind a nation together.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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