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SEGUN FOCUS A Lifestyle Writer!
THERE used to be a time when women fought harder to make it into any male dominated field.
Such was the time when men would also strive to maintain anything,
muscular from the kind of beer they drank, to the food they ate, and the
kind of jobs they did. .But gone are these days as men are also
venturing into women dominated fields.
One such area is hairdressing, which some men have excelled in and are even better than some female hairdressers.
Well, in a survey conducted by FOCUS the lifestyle writer in Zimbabwe
many women now prefer male hairdressers because of their patience and
creativity.
Maria Sarajevo, a cashier at a local supermarket said her male
hairdresser understands hairstyles and what goes into crafting them.
When you are styled by a male hairstylist you get many heads turning
because the job would have been well executed. We were brought up
believing that men only know about hammers, chisels and screwdrivers but
the tide has turned. Male hairdressers are also patient when it comes
to women. Maybe it Is the nature in them.
You know women chit chat and critic too much, but male hairdressers
have the gift of listening. Female hairdressers may not be happy with
being critiqued and are also easily irritated, explained the cashier.
James Tatirayi a hairdresser at Geo Right salon in Harare? Avenues
area in zimbabua, has been in the business for more than seven years and
has made a name for himself locally. His brother George is also a
hairdresser and they each have female clients from all works of life.
It is a trade that has brought bread and butter to their table and Tatirayi is happy and enjoys styling hair.
I ventured into hairdressing in 2007 ?when I graduated from school and I
could not find a job. My brother taught me how to plait hair. This was
not by choice as I wanted to be a doctor, but had no option as I was
just sitting at home, he said.
The 30-year-old, who is happily married and has one child, Tawana,
said nothing will take him away from hairdressing, even some of the
negative comments they sometimes get from people.
Society feels this is a women job but to me this is an art I enjoy. It is also a job just like any other occupation, he said.
Tatirayi said his best hairdos are short weaves as they shape the face of a woman
Sometimes I research on the internet and magazines to check what are
some of the latest trends. I also take photographs of my clients after
their new hairdos and store them in our salon laptops. Clients can view a
slide show of the hairstyles and choose what they want, he said.
The dreadlocked hairstylist has worked with many local celebrities and prominent people whom he did
not want to disclose.
I did hair for Miss Tourism models 2009, local musicians and the current Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama, he said.
It is not an easy road as the job comes with some temptations.
Tatirayi said the greatest challenge he used to face was seduction from
some women.Long back some women used to try and seduce me as I plaited
their hair but I have never fallen victim. I am faithful to my wife and
she understands my job very well, he explained.
He said locally there is a big hairdressing market.
Big hair or small hair is what I feel put me on the map. Working with
women changed my life professionally and spiritually, said the devout
Christian hairdresser.
The Tatirayi brothers are always busy especially during weekends and the festive season.
We are now in the wedding season and we do 10 different bridal styles each week, he explained.
Another male hairstylist who is causing a stir in the town is from Fabulous Hair Salon is Hlalani Sibanda. Zimbabwe
Sibanda who is well known as Spencer a top hairstylist in United States, a nickname he acquired while in South Africa.
He relocated to Zimbabwe with his friend who also taught him hairdressing.
I love hair and it is a talent within me. We have been working
together with Previous Nyoni who has also perfected his skills in South
Africa, he said.
Sibanda who grew up in Gwanda said he gets inspiration from international celebrity hairstylists Ted Gibson.
I started this business in 1998. Apart from Previous my friend who
has helped me polish my skills, I draw inspiration from hairstylist who
does Toni Braxton, Martin Lawrence and Beyonce, he revealed.
Sibanda (38) also highlighted appreciation and resources as major challenges.
Hairstyling is a technique and every hairdresser has his or her own
perfect style. My best so far is bob cut and style, which is now a hit
not locally but globally. I do all styles with weaves and normal hair
but I prefer normal hair.
There were certain stereotypes attached to this job as society
believed it is a women job. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. I
enjoy my work and I know my personality, he said.
Sibanda said he is engaged to Cynthia Moyo of Tsholotsho.
Back in South Africa the hairstylist has managed to build a good rapport
with his clients to the extent he sometimes flies back for work.
We have been in the country for the past two weeks and it is hard to
get clients but we are catching up. I have worked with the late South
African gospel Vuyo Mokoena, cutting his box cut every two weeks, he
added.
Sibanda explained that there is nothing bad about this job as passion is all that is required.
In countries like the United States and United Kingdom among others,
male hairdressers are one of the most sought after stylist. The likes of
Rihaana, Usher and Jennifer Lopez have their own stylists and if you
check they are men. It is a job that if taken seriously can sustain
livelihoods, he noted.
He said his dream is to be an international hairstylist.
Tendai Maguranyanga (26) a braider and a barber from Warren Park said hairstyling is an easy job.
It is just cutting designing clothes, whereby you will be putting down
your imaginations to someone s head. I can say it is both difficult and
easy to work with women. Sometimes women talk too much while you are
focusing on their hair and at the same time they understand easily when
you explain your concept, he said.
With the world we are living in these days, hair is the crown to your look so make sure you have a person who works yours well.
easily the most popular locitician in Lagos and of course Ade of the spanking new but fully loaded www.hairvillagers.comThe
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African.
Formal retail trade channels are expanding across the region,
especially via the big South African retailers Shoprite, Pick n Pay,
Massmart, Spar and Metcash ?whose own regional growth provides
multinationals with a route to market.
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