“It has always been a talent—I had the skill to weave hair even at the age of 7,” Shamicka Williams, a hair artist from Harlem, shares with Vogue. “This skill evolved into a thriving business that has allowed me to travel extensively.” Currently in her hotel room in Paris in between consecutive shows, Williams reflects on her collaborations, from the creative freestyle braids at Off-White with fellow hair artist Jawara to the elegant 3-strand anime-inspired look for Loewe led by Guido Palau. The dynamic team backstage, curated by Williams, features talented female braiders such as Tashana Miles, Kady Balde, Muriel Cole, Drea, and Aminata Kamara. Their journey for the Fall 2024 season commenced at Dior Couture in Paris, where they worked alongside Palau to craft intricately braided low buns for models with textured hair.
The connection between Williams and Miles was initiated by Jawara over five years ago (with Williams having previously collaborated with Jawara in a Park Avenue salon), leading to opportunities with renowned fashion houses like Dior, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. This expansion transcended the traditional fashion month circuit of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, venturing into diverse locations such as Egypt, Rome, Nice, Seville, and Mexico City—particularly relishing the chance to contribute to Cruise collections set in picturesque beach destinations. Miles, who also works with celebrities like ASAP Rocky, expresses her admiration for collaborating with Guido, describing it as a harmonious partnership.
Palau enthusiastically acknowledges the growing demand for braided hairstyles backstage, necessitating the establishment of a dedicated team within his entourage. As they traverse the globe together, they inspire each other to innovate and master new techniques. “When conceptualizing the hairstyles, I now consider incorporating braids into the look, collaborating with the team to achieve a similar aesthetic through innovative techniques,” Palau explains. Williams and Miles are integral to the creative process, offering insights during the initial brainstorming phase to seamlessly translate straight-hair designs into braided masterpieces while honoring diverse textures. Reflecting on their work for Dior’s Pre-Fall 2023 collection featuring ’40s-inspired hair, Miles elaborates on the intricate process of infusing waves within braids to capture the essence of the era. This evolution in braiding techniques is reshaping perceptions, as Miles notes, “I believe that previously, braids didn’t receive the same level of attention. However, by introducing fresh concepts and styling approaches, we are showcasing their versatility and beauty.”