One huge benefit of having locs is that the weather is almost always your friend — kind of a big deal, if you are someone who is constantly worried about your hair. But that's what the loc’d life is all about: embracing the beauty of what happens when you let go!
And so it was really no surprise when rain storms poured down on the LOCnificent Hair Festival last Sunday, it did not put a damper on a single thing. Folks showed up and showed out stronger than ever!
The fifth annual event was held at SILO in Bushwick on Sunday, Sept. 24. Locsanity hair products was the event’s lead sponsor with additional sponsors including Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Vita Coco and BK Reader.
Lovaeta Amoako started LOCnificent in 2018 and intended it to just be a one-off event for those in her community who have chosen to loc their hair and were looking for products and style inspiration.
“I saw a lot of natural hair events coming out and it was usually geared towards people with curly/kinky hair, and not locs,” said Amoako, who also dons a beautifully sculpted loc style.
“Oftentimes, there are misconceptions and negative connotations associated with dreadlocks, but I'm inspired by the beauty of locs. Thus, I wanted to provide us with a space where we can be comfortable, be ourselves, and amplify our love for loc'd and natural hair.”
The event was so successful in that first year, she held it again in 2019. And apart from 2020 — the year of the pandemic — Amoako has been holding the event every year since, growing the audience and the tribe of folks clearly honored to be natural and happy to be nappy!
Between the clothing and jewelry vendors that brought the bold, colorful, rootsy and regal styles; to the Caribbean- and African-inspired food to match the palates of the Diaspora; and the creative displays of fashion and styling between the hair and fashion shows; and music entertainment that had the inside of the venue bumping and rocking, it was a smorgasbord of Black culture at its finest.
“LOCnificent is pretty awesome,” said Emara Grainger, owner of Rightful Rebel Fashion. “I mean, look at all these beautiful Black and brown people! We’re just out here celebrating the culture, and it’s pouring rain. But as you can see and as you can hear, the folks came out! Anytime we can come together to celebrate culture and celebrate community, I think that’s just awesome!”
The music was by Vybz Empress, DJ Trauma NYC and DJ Blufiya with drummers Modupe and Spuddy Roots and stage performances by Bamskelly, Jodi Fitz, Chelsea Reject, Eddie Bellas and band, Big Hookz, and Regine the Artist.
“I love this event, because it’s for the culture; it's for us,“ said Terrell Pruitt from Chelsea.
