My mom & dad in 1963

 

 

 

Thanks to recent photos I found of my mom from the 60’s, the beehive has inspired me to research its history……The beehive was originally designed around 1960 by Illinois stylist, Margaret Vinci Helm when a magazine challenged her to create something different. What was commonly known as a “beehive”, was also referred to as a “B-52″, after the bomber’s round front nose. Interpretations of the style appeared on actress Audrey Hepburn in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, on TV character Janice Rand in “The Original Series: Star Trek” & in “The Flintstones” cartoon on house wives Wilma and Betty during the 1960’s, making it an instant success among women everywhere. Still remaining visible during the 1970’s on Cindy Wilson & Kate Pierson, lead singers of “The B-52’s” the beehive was replaced by perms amongst real women once the 80’s hit. The classic style still managed to make appearances including being exclusively featured on the female characters during the 1980’s in Gary Larson’s “The Far Side” comic strip, John Waters’ cult classic movie “Hairspray” and in a three foot, blue version on Marge Simpson of “The Simpsons” cartoon. During the 90’s grunge period, the Beehive laid dormant except for the occasional Halloween costume. In 1997, CNN randomly featured an article titled “Honey, comb: Beehive hairdo is back”. Who knew that CNN was six years ahead of hair trends? Back in the limelight in 2003, an odd version of the Beehive turned up on non other than frequent rehab patient and British singer Amy Winehouse, making her instantly recognizable. She single handedly resurrected worldwide popularity of the extinct style in a rather disturbing, asymmetrical slept in version of the once meticulous, classic style. Stylists everywhere were forced to buy a teasing comb, dust off their cans of hair spray and break a sweat. For many newer hair stylists, this would be their first time since beauty school, to create gravity defying styles as requested by their clients. Ms. Winehouse was a huge influence on transforming the flat iron dependent hair styles of the early millennium, into the product dependent creations inspired by yesteryear, that clients crave today.Here is a shoot featuring a modern day version….