Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History

by Victoria Sherrow

Overview

This popular volume on the culture of hair through human history and around the globe has been updated and revised to include even more entries and current information.

How we style our hair has the ability to shape the way others perceive us. For example, in 2017, the singer Macklemore denounced his hipster undercut hairstyle, a style that is associated with Hitler Youth and alt-right men, and in 2015, actress Rose McGowan shaved her head in order to take a stance against the traditional Hollywood sex symbol stereotype.

This volume examines how hair-or lack thereof-can be an important symbol of gender, class, and culture around the world and through history. Hairstyles have come to represent cultural heritage and memory, and even political leanings, social beliefs, and identity. This second edition builds upon the original volume, updating all entries that have evolved over the last decade, such as by discussing hipster culture in the entries on beards and mustaches and recent medical breakthroughs in hair loss. New entries have been added that look at specific world regions, hair coverings, political symbolism behind certain styles, and other topics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313015274
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	02/28/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Victoria Sherrow is author of For Appearance's Sake: The Historical Encyclopedia of Good Looks, Beauty, and Grooming (2001).

Table of Contents

List of Entries
Guide to Related Topics
Preface
Introduction
The Encyclopedia
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

To many, hair is a reflection of personal style. It is also a signifier of class, gender, ethnicity, and even power. In this resourceful A-to-Z, Sherrow (Grooming) explores the impact of hair styles and their implications in various cultures throughout history. The essay-length entries, accompanied by black-and-white photos as well as a full-color photo insert, cover everything from celebrity hair (e.g., "the Rachel") and the hair care business (e.g., "Vidal Sassoon") to disorders (e.g., "dandruff") and organizations (e.g., "Locks of Love"). Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

This work by Sherrow wins the browsability award, for both its topic and its eye-catching cover. As the only current reference book on hair, it will certainly find a place on many library shelves. Global in scope, its coverage includes biographical information (Max Factor, Elizabeth I), ethnicities and countries (African Americans, China), hairstyles (the bob, dreadlocks), and other hair-related entries (dandruff, hairpins)….[i]t provides a good first stop and a lengthy bibliography on the topic of hair. Recommended. Academic and beauty-related collections serving lower-level undergraduates, two-year technical program students, practitioners, and general readers.” —Choice

“To many, hair is a reflection of personal style. It is also a signifier of class, gender, ethnicity, and even power. In this resourceful A-to-Z, Sherrow explores the impact of hair styles and their implications in various cultures throughout history. The essay-length entries, accompanied by black-and-white photos as well as a full-color photo insert, cover everything from celebrity hair (e.g., the Rachel) and the hair care business (e.g., Vidal Sassoon) to disorders (e.g., dandruff) and organizations (e.g., Locks of Love).” —Library Jourbanal

“Hairstyles reflect cultural, religious, and political beliefs; social status; occupation; health; and other key aspects of life. In her introduction to the universal preoccupation with hair grooming, Sherrow overviews scientific facts about hair, its social meaning, and the hair products industry. Cross-referenced entries from adornment, ornamental to Zotos, International include historical-cultural context, trends, trendsetters, B&W and some color illustrations, and further reading. This unique reference includes an extensive bibliography.” —Art Book News Annual

“Anyone interested in hair fashion and treatment, either as it immediately affects them or from the perspective of a historical period or a different ethnic group will learn from this book.” —Reference Reviews

“[T]he Encyclopedia of Hair is a useful starting point for research on this multidisciplinary topic….[t]he Encyclopedia of Hair covers a bald spot in reference collections in academic, public, and vocational school libraries.” —Reference & User Services Quarterly

“[T]here is fascinating stuff here for anybody prepared to comb through it.” —Times Literary Supplement

“Hair has displayed more than changing styles: it's served as an indicator of class, gender, conformity and power throughout history - and Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History follows the changing issues surrounding hair and styles. World history and all cultures are taken into account throughout, with chapters opening with an essay on the overall topic, followed by alphabetically arranged entries along with black and white photos and bibliographic references. Any college-level holding strong in not only history and culture but fashion will find this appealing to many different genres.” —Midwest Book Review/California Bookwatch

“Victoria Sherrows survey of the history of hair explores the meanings attached to head dressings in different periods and cultures around the world. Her scope includes specific hair styles, the treatment of facial hair, grooming tools, colorants, ornaments, hair diseases and beliefs. The impact of innovative hairdressers, advertising, and trendsetting celebrities is also examined. Finally, the coverage also includes the hair care business and consumer safety issues. Dozens of color and black-and-white photographs illustrate numerous fashions, but fortunately no mullets. The often anecdotal entries may not satisfy every research need, but Sherrow has conveniently compiled a wealth of information that could previously only be gleaned from a variety of clothing, fashion, anthropological and historical encyclopedias. Her notes also provide students with other potential avenues of research. Her handy volume will be welcomed in public and academic libraries.” —Lawrence Looks at Books

“Encyclopedia of Hair is an insightful and thorough academic book looking at the subject throughout time….It helps to know about the history of your hair to justify paying $18 for a tiny tube of serum, but hair history won't squirt back at you.” —MetroLA

From the Publisher