Alice Dreads & My "Trial by Fire"
Imagine yourself stuck in a room with a complete stranger for several hours. Inevitably, you'll start to learn things about their life, job, interests, and more. Clients often ask me how I got into braiding, who taught me, and how it all began.
It was a typical spring day when I found myself walking down the street to meet someone I barely knew. All I knew about him was that he was a barber with a unique sense of style. He wore his hair in long, blue dreadlocks and rode the tram to work every day. The location of his shop was in a rough area, and it was already 2006. Once, he even came to work wearing shackles to make a point to his boss, who had called his employees "slaves."
I was there to get a perm, as my hair was naturally straight and I longed for small, wet-looking curls. As I sat with my hair in chemicals, someone else arrived for an appointment with undone afro-braids. I watched in fascination as the barber meticulously braided the kanekalon into his hair, separating sectors and weaving in the synthetic hair with ease. It was my first time seeing braids, and I was immediately intrigued.
The barber allowed me to try my hand at braiding, and I was hooked. The very next day, I became his student, eager to learn everything I could about dreads, dreadlocks, and braiding. Looking back, I can see that it was my "trial by fire," but I wouldn't have it any other way! 🤗
All items are handmade by me in Ukraine. Part of my stock is kept at a fulfillment warehouse in Pennsylvania, USA, so US orders arrive faster.
