Laetitia KY And Di’Ja Collaborate, In This Colourful Photo Series About ANKARA INSPIRED Hair Braids

Laetitia KY went viral went she released a photo series where she sculpted her hair into hands. Now, she’s worked with Mavin Record’s Aphrodija, better known as Di’Ja, in a vibrant photo series where Laetitia braids Di’Ja her with strips of ankara.

Laetitia’s ‘hair art’ incorporates elements from traditional African women’s hairstyles. It is both functional and fashionable – being colourful, creative and serving as a protective style.

For many African women, adding colour to their hair with the aid of an accessory is quite natural. In that way, these hairstyles become more lively even though the colour of their natural hair stays the same. For example the contemporary ‘beads on braids’ styles seen on little girls, and the hairstyles of  Nambia’s Himba tribeswomen.

In the text accompanying the post on Laetitia’s Instagram, she said:

“The beautiful @aphrodija gave me the opportunity to collaborate with her on this shoot by making her hair with  KY braids. I am so grateful to her and her family for having traveled me to them and for the way they consider me as one of them during those few days. They were so kind with me.

She encouraged me with words that I will never forget and I thank the universe for putting her on my way. Before being a superstar this woman is just a SUPER person.”

Makeup by: Laila Cadne-Rahman
Styled by: Judith Onuwa Gerald
Photography by: Xela Alexander