The swing: The cutting edge in hair

The swing: The cutting edge in hair

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

This year, a new hair trend has emerged that suits all kinds
of people. It is called the "swing" hairstyle, characterized by
free movement and texture, with the final result being an air of
elegance.

The style is not bound by hair length, but inspired by the
beautiful shapes and movements of models sashaying down the
catwalk.

The cool thing is, the swing hairstyle provides freedom for
each individual to add their own finishing touches by
straightening it, coloring it or getting a perm.

The style has become a new trend in major fashion cities like
Milan, New York and Tokyo, and recently in large cities across
Indonesia.

"The style has spread to Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya," Daniel
Amarta, a Jakarta hair and beauty stylist, told The Jakarta Post.

Daniel, who has 19 salons in four cities, said the swing was
now hip among urban teenagers and 20-somethings.

Sometimes, he said, the style was also called the
"unconjunction style" or the "deconstructive style".

"The swing usually involves a long feathered cut that is easy
to manage. All you need to do is to put on some styling spray,
hair mousse or crystal wax and arrange it with your fingers,"
Daniel said.

The result is unique: a slightly disheveled look that fits the
image of young people around the world.

For a cutting-edge look, hairstylists might dye a section of
hair with a color that contrasts with their customer's natural
hair color, such as pink or rust colors for Asian women.

It seems the darlings of the Japanese fashion scene are not
afraid to experiment, with some changing their hair color and
style as often as three times a year.

The Japanese history of hairstyling provides insight into
Japanese culture, showing how "hair affairs" were once also state
affairs.

Hair history in Japanese culture dates back to the fourth
century when Japanese men wore their hair in the mizura style,
parted in the middle and pulled together in loops over the ears.

Meanwhile, the women pulled their hair up into a loose loop
resting on top of the head and fastened in the middle. This style
is now called shimadamage, after the 18th century style, which it
resembles.

Japanese culture later developed other traditional hairstyles
both for men and women, sometimes in compliance with the orders
of the serving ruler.

For example, during the Sui dynasty from 589 to 618, an order
was issued for all courtiers in Japan to wear a formal dress
called kammuri. To match the dress, the mizura style was replaced
with kanka no ikkei for men and the kokei or hokei style for
women.

During the Taisho period (1912-1926), the hair iron was
introduced from France and waving of hair became popular. In this
period, most young women wore their hair in European styles while
middle-aged women tended to favor traditional styles.

Throughout World War II, European styles were prohibited by
the Japanese military leaders, but after the war, hairstyles once
again were patterned after international trends.

Due to the U.S. military occupation of Japan after World War
II, Japanese fashion was heavily influenced by the Americans.

Simplified looks with permanent waves became the trend leaving
behind traditional styles, which are now used only for special
occasions such as New Year's celebrations, and traditional
marriage and cultural festivals.

This year, the swing hairstyle is also hot in Japan,
particularly in Tokyo.

In line with this trend, Makarizo Indonesia, a hair treatment
and styling manufacturer from Germany, invited Japan's top
hairstylist, Seiichi Honda, to demonstrate his finesse on its
Salon Tour 2005, which is themed "The Swing Hairstyle".

During the annual tour, Makarizo will hold one "hair show" in
Surabaya, Medan and Jakarta respectively, as well as seminars and
workshops in 52 cities and towns.

Besides Seiichi, who attended the workshop in Jakarta,
Makarizo invited top hairdressers from New York and Milan to hold
workshops in Medan and Surabaya.

In Jakarta, the hair show on June 23 at the Jakarta Convention
Center was packed with thousands of hairdresser. The event was
full with hairstylists with, of course, lots of flashy
hairstyles.