5 Braided Updos Inspired by Cultures All Over the World

By Allure Staff

Imagine hairstyles without borders: shells and combs, earrings and necklaces woven into braids and buns. It’s what hairstylist Jawara calls “a tribute and a thank-you” to the cultures that have taught us to look farther and dream bigger.
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Stronger Together

“The braids (above) are inspired by Spanish and African styles, and the gold sticks by Japanese accessories,” says Jawara. “It’s my way of saying cultural influences can be beautiful and interesting when combined.”

Rich Heritage

“We’ve lost that tradition of adornment. I made the hair messier in these styles to show that you can still keep it casual.”
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Shell Company

“Braids anchor heavy accessories — there’s a heavy shell necklace from North Africa in there, and huge silver earrings inspired by Tibet.”

Treasure Trove

“Take the jewelry you don’t wear, deconstruct the buns a little, and put it in there.” (Jawara used bobby pins and fishing wire.)
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Uniting Nations

“I did three buns, inspired by African, Asian, and Hopi styles. In this political climate, it’s best to stick together and be compassionate and kind,” says Jawara, taking hairstyling to another level. “One way to do that is through beauty.”

Fashion stylist, Elizabeth Fraser-Bell. Hair: Jawara. Makeup: Kanako Takase. Manicure: Yuko Tsuchihashi. Set design: Bette Adams for Mary Howard Studio.

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