Although many people believe that Reggae bands created dreadlocks, Reggae musicians were not the first to wear this hairstyle. Dreadlocks date back to biblical times.
Although there are many different opinions as to when dreadlocks first appeared on human heads, the Bible actually makes reference to dreadlocks. King Tutankhamen is also pictured wearing dreadlocks.
It is also known that the Christians wore dreadlocks in their earliest times. Throughout the centuries, many tribal people have worn dreadlocks, including Australian aborigines, New Guinea tribesmen, religious monks and some African tribes.
Dreadlocks were not originally developed in the interests of fashionable hair: To the people that adopted dreadlocks, they had intensive, deep meanings that reached into physical, mental and spiritual realms. Hair-locked styles are often worn as a symbol of personal awakening for the wearer.
Influence of Rastafarians and Bob Marley
In the 20s dreadlocks were adopted by the Afro-Caribbean religion known as Rastafarianism (commonly referred to as Rasta’s). In the original days of the Rastafarians, the creation of dreadlocks occurred over very long periods of time, frequently years. The hair was allowed to twist and matte in it’s own time and design. The result was a matted, knotted hairstyle that honored the Rastafarian religious beliefs.
By the mid 70s, both Marely and Reggae had become a part of the mainstream. This also brought attention to his famous hairstyle, and served to promote dreadlocks to others in the musical community.
Beauty Industry Jumps into the Act
When the 1990’s rock groups adopted dreadlocks into their style and look, the hair industry found a new trend ready to be promoted.
Dreadlocks that used to take five years to develop became available at the local hair salon in about five hours. A wide variety of modified dreadlocks also emerged, including multi-colored hair and “dread perms.” Stylists are even highlighting and coloring dreadlocks putting a new twist on things.
Also during the 90s, movie stars, rock musicians and even everyday people began wearing dreadlocks. With the introduction of dreadlocks at the Spring/Summer 2000 Fashion Collections it became evident that they would be one of the next hairstyle trends in fashion to be adopted by the mainstream.
Dreadlocks on the Runway
John Galliano for Christian Dior helped take dreadlocks to a new level along with his hot new fashion collection. In keeping with the Rasta inspired collection, the Dior models wore a variety of dreadlock inspired hairstyles.
Many of the runway dreadlock-inspired styles were accessorized with fashion accessories such as sashes, silk scarves and add-on hair in multicolor.
The dreadlock styles that were carefully created for the models were worn up and tied or pinned high on the head to create a dramatic, cutting-edge and warrior-like appearance.
Dreadlock Hair Care
Since popular hair trends tend to follow the latest fashion trends seen on the runways, it is easy to predict that dreadlocks and styles that incorporate dreadlocks will be even more popular in the first decade of the twenty-first century.
Another indication of the growing popularity of dreadlocks is the emergence of a whole new industry that is offering an array of dreadlock hair care items such as shampoos, waxes, oils, conditioners and dreadlock hair accessories.