A woman’s hair texture and length is not important to me because I have an appreciation for the different styles. However, when it comes to black women I prefer to see them in a nicely styled natural hair-do.
Who is your Favorite model?
I don’t really have a favorite model, but I do admire Tyson Beckford and Boris Kodjoe. Their sense of style inspires me to always bring my A-game and strive to be my best aesthetically.
What is your favorite book?
This is not an easy question for me to answer because I am an avid reader. I prefer non-fiction books that are reality based that address topics such as history, politics, economics, philosophy, spirituality and personal development. I’ve read so many great books over the years and have so many favorites. However, some titles that do stick out for me are “The Destruction of Black Civilization” by Chancellor Williams, “Journey of the Songhai People” by Edward Robinson Jr., Calvin Russell Robinson and Redman Battle and “Ancient Future” by Wayne B. Chander.
What is your favorite movie?
I’m a movie buff who watches many films during my free time, but the one movie that stands out as my favorite is the first “Matrix” film. I love it because of the social, political, spiritual, philosophical and economical commentary it makes about the world in which we live. To perceive the allusions and understand the points the movie is trying to make requires that the viewer is very well read and aware of many different issues plaguing the world.
Why did you become a model and what is your goal as a model?
In my late teens a few people kept telling me that I had the look of a model and could do very well if I pursued it. I never took them seriously but then several talent agencies scouted me because they liked my look. As a result I became more interested in modeling and started pursuing it. Unfortunately, those so called agencies were scams that wasted much of my time and delayed my progress. I’ve become much more knowledgeable about the modeling industry and I’m constantly learning new things which excite me.
I have an appreciation for the intellectual aspect and creative expression that accompany fashion. I feel this makes modeling a natural thing for me. My goal as a model is to become a highly sought after commercial print model. If that goes well, I can eventually transition into acting and apply some of my other talents in that arena.
How important is your hair as a model?
My hair is very important as a model. Keeping it neat and well maintained is very necessary when shooting.
Why do you choose to wear your hair this way?
I chose to wear my hair this way because I like how it makes me look, and it is easy for me to maintain it at this length. I’ve tried allowing my hair to grow longer to experiment with a different look but the longer it became, the more of a struggle it was to keep it neat. It was a bit frustrating so I reverted back to my dark Caesar.
What does your hair mean to you? Is it just an accessory that compliments your personality and style or is it deeper than that?
My hair means multiple things to me. On a superficial level, I feel it is ideal for my clean cut look. My style is conservative in some regards so my hair is a great compliment to it. On a deeper level my hair is a testament to how the creator/universe intended me to be. All of our body parts serve a specific function, and scientific study shows that our hair serves the purpose of protecting our brain. The intelligent design behind the way the hair of African people grows assures that we are well equipped to survive on this planet.
How important is a woman’s hair to you?
Does a weave, relaxed hair or a natural head bother you or do you have a preference for either of these styles? A woman’s hair is important to me in that I like that she keeps it neat and well maintained, whether it is a weave, relaxed hair or natural hair. I personally have a preference for natural hair but will not reject someone if she wore her hair in a different style.
Is the texture of a woman’s hair important to you? And length?
A woman’s hair texture and length is not important to me because I have an appreciation for the different styles. However, when it comes to black women I prefer to see them in a nicely styled natural hair-do.
Do you think black hair is an issue? Why or why not?
Yes, I think black hair is an issue because there are so many issues related to it that negatively affects the entire group. Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” addressed many of the problems. Due to racism natural black hair has been stigmatized. This makes it hard for black women and men with natural hair to progress in environments such as Corporate America. The situation forces many of them to conform to the status quo to advance professionally.
When it comes to standards of beauty, often times straightened permed or weaved hair is preferred opposed to a natural look. For others, a natural look is preferred over the processed look. Many women as a result perm their hair which is a process detrimental to its overall health. In some circles wearing ones hair in a natural style is considered a sign that a person is embracing his or her true blackness. As a result, a woman with permed hair might be looked down upon because it is believed that she is selling out or suppressing her blackness. Such things create friction in the black community and make it difficult for different groups of black people to come together.
A plethora of individuals and entities get rich from the tons of money black women spend on things such as weaves. Of the individuals earning huge profits, only a fraction of them are from the black community. This is a very serious issue. I could go on and on about this matter because there are so many different dimensions to it. Overall, I feel whether someone has a weave, a perm or natural hair, that person should have a good understanding of what are the forces that motivate them to style their hair in that fashion. The same thing goes for those that have a preference for seeing women or men in one of those styles over the other. Through understanding many of the issues related to black hair can be resolved. In “Good Hair” the reverend Al Sharpton said, “I can tell what is in your head by what is on top of it.” However, I’ve come to realize that is not always true. You can’t read a book by its cover and you will often be surprised to learn what people are about when you actually get to know them.
Name: XavierSteven
Occupation: Human Resources Professional – Senior HR Administrator
More of Xavier Steven at his facebook page.
