The 2019 Buzzcut Movement

UK’s Female Buzzcut Movement

2019-2021

When I first moved to London in 2019, my attention was caught by a buzz-cut movement emerging amongst young women. At this time, I was living with a friend called River Solace, who not only rocked the buzz-cut but was also incredibly insightful on the topic of women and hair.

River’s blogpost ‘Why I Shaved my Head’ shares how history has shown us that this type of haircut has represented various meanings. For example, in France during WWII, a shaved head was often a result of punishment towards a woman who had slept with the enemy. This protocol left the appearance of a buzzcut to be associated with shame and betrayal.

Since then, buzzcuts have been known to be associated with assumptions such as mental breakdowns, physical illnesses and sexual orientation.

With all this said, I was curious to hear from those participating in this new wave of buzzcuts. Since 2029, I have been meeting with women to learn about their journey to the Clippers and take their portraits. From there, birthed this photo story, The 2019 Buzzcut Movement.

River Solace (they/them)

“I wanted to mirror the drastic change that has been taking place within, by reflecting that on the outside.” - River Solace

In July 2019, River became involved with GirlsWillBeBoys, an organisation run by content creator and feminist Char Ellesse. In this organisation, Char focuses on the discussion of the modern-day gender-assigned roles and created a project called ‘OMG She’s Bald’ to communicate that women can shave their heads with “no guilt, hesitation or explanation”. River found an alignment with the values of this organisation and so decided to shave their head at an ‘OMG She’s Bald’ event that took place in July 2019. Since shaving their head, River passionately talks about the liberation they have discovered in accepting themselves without the long blond hair they had previously been attaching to their identity.

Read more of River’s story here: http://exhibitzee.com/why-i-shaved-my-head/

*A photograph of River with their previous long hair, January 2020*

*Post re-head shave in their flat bathroom, September 2019*

*River Solace, New Park Road bus stop, Balham, October 2019*

Grace Latter

Grace’s story reflects her name regarding the journey she has been on with her body. Being a survivor of a brain tumour that has resulted in two surgeries, Grace is learning to love her body and is passionate about spreading positivity with body image for women.

In 2018, she was nominated for the ‘Influencer of The Year award due to her efforts in spreading public awareness towards body positivity. Whilst being a big advocate for self-love, she explains that shaving her head allowed her to see the entirety of her surgical scar for the first time. This experience left her feeling a sense of empowerment and admiration towards her body, given what it has fought her through. Grace decided to turn the action of shaving her head into a fundraising event for ‘The Brain Tumour Charity’ which took place in March 2018 at ‘The Cake Room’ cafe in St Leonards, Hastings.

*Grace sat in her one bed flat in St Leonards (Hastings) February 2020*

Grace’s visible scar shown on the left side of her head after two brain surgeries, February 2020 — *Grace’s scar shown on the left side of her head after two brain surgeries, February 2020*

Elyssa Rider

In November 2018, Elyssa made the decision to shave her head to not only overcome a fear of a life without her long hair but with a desire to defy gender norms.

“Shaving my head felt like the gateway permission I needed to do all sorts of other things that frighten me, or that as women, we’re told we can’t do. Skating is one of those things. It’s a male-dominated sport and it can be tough to learn, but the buzz of progress is incredible.”

Elyssa explains that she has experienced regular street harassment, such as ‘wolf whistling’ and inappropriate passing comments from various men, so felt the pull to shave her head as a symbol of rejecting the male gaze.

*Elyssa stood with a freshly shaved smiley face on the back of her head, January 2020*

*Elyssa riding the concretes of Clapham Common’s skate park, January 2020*

*Elyssa Rider, Clapham Common skate park, January 2020*

Becki Caitlin

After two years of pondering the idea to shave her head, Becki finally decided to go head to clipper in August 2020.

“I used to have super long curly hair and a thick full fringe. I’d hide behind my hair all the time. Anxious, hide behind it. Sad, hide behind. I used my hair as a way to hide from society in a weird way”

Becki had felt fearful that others would judge her for who she is and how she looked. Since shaving her head, Becki explains that she has encountered a level of freedom and expression in herself that she had not yet experienced.