Despite their storied history, history deemed braided hair as not buttoned-up enough for formal events. For as long as I can remember, the general guidance was to swap out your braids and plaits for something more “suitable”—a silk press or updo will do. This ethos was reflected in media and entertainment as well; where all of my favorite stars leaned into straightened strands once the cameras and major events came around.
But take a look at runways, special events, and red carpets over the last few years, and you might sense a turning point. Many of Hollywood s greatest arrive dressed to the nines with their hair in braids—think Doechii, Tracee Ellis Ross, Zoe Kravitz, Zendaya, and Alicia Keys—ushering in an era of unapologetic Blackness by honoring our hair in all its glory.
“Braids have always been an important cultural symbol within the Black community, representing heritage, identity, and resistance,” says Tashana Miles, celebrity braider to the likes of Vogue cover star A$AP Rocky. “Their increasing presence on the red carpet reflects a significant shift towards recognizing and celebrating these cultural roots. Today, braids are not only a fashion statement but also a form of reclamation, highlighting the evolution of beauty standards and pushing against mainstream narratives that have historically marginalized these styles.” For her, it’s a powerful reminder of cultural pride and resilience, allowing those who wear them to reshape the narrative around beauty in high-profile spaces. To wit, it s no surprise we saw many a braided look at the 2025 Met Gala, centered around the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme that celebrates the legacy of Black dandyism.
The resurgence of braids is a way for Black people to reclaim and reframe the narrative around our hair—to showcase that we can show up in any space with confidence, without the need to conform. “Growing up in ’90s, education around relaxing our textured hair was common but texture was not,” celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway details. “As we have learned more and started appreciating our styles, we want to make our ancestors proud of how far we’ve come and part of that comes from how we choose to rock our hair.” Braids themselves are not a monolith—as the red carpet styling exhibits, styles range from cornrows and knotless braids to more sculptural wonders—chosen with care to support the occasion or look. “This transformation speaks to a broader societal acknowledgment of different beauty standards where braids are not just accepted but embraced as chic and luxurious elements of high fashion,” Miles adds.
Shanna St. Cyr Alexander, the pro behind Tyla and Victoria Monet s braids, adds “there’s a newfound understanding that braids can be luxurious, elegant, and red carpet–ready.” Below, five pro braiders weigh in on the resurgence of glamorous braids—from how they find inspiration to the most treasured look they ve done. And as for what the stylists and stars are cooking up for this year s Met Gala—an ode to Black dandyism—it s only a matter of time.
Jawara Wauchope
“[The] beauty ideals to the mass public are changing, which is great, but braids have always been elegant and glamorous, as they were the first signs of celebration and ceremony back in Africa,” celebrity hairstylist Jawara Wauchope, whose clients include Ross, Naomi Campbell, and Anok Yai, insists. For him, achieving a red carpet-worthy look is about doing your research, diving into traditional braid styles for different ceremonies, and giving credit to where that inspiration came from. For example, the braided crown he crafted for Solange Knowles at the 2018 Met Gala is one of his favorite styles he s done, which drew inspiration from Black and African saints. “All different types of braid styles are in demand for both men and women,” he continues. "I think it’s also amazing when people get creative with the braids and the directions in which the braids can lay on the head.”
Tashana Miles
“The resurgence of braided styles at high-profile events can be attributed to a combination of a cultural revival and a shift in the fashion industry,” Miles says. “Increased representation of Black artists, designers, and stylists in mainstream fashion is paving the way for a more inclusive approach. This change encourages individuals to embrace their natural textures and styles, with braids being a stunning expression of diversity, creativity, and identity.” She goes on to explain that the visibility of braids on large platforms encourages conversations about diversity in beauty and promotes a more inclusive representation. References and inspirations for braided styles are evolving, inspired by a blend of traditional techniques and modern interpretations.
One of her favorite looks she s done (though it s certainly hard to choose) was the G s braided in A$AP Rocky s hair—done at 5 a.m. before the Gucci F/W 2023 show in Milan. “He just suggested to make it a clean and sharp look, so I decided to braid Gs to represent his ambassadorship with the brand,” she says. “Simple but quite effective. And the brand response and excitement to that look, signifies that the fashion industry is beginning to embrace this culture in a more thoughtful way.”
Louis Souvestre
For Louis Souvestre, the pro behind many of FKA Twigs hairstyles, so long are the days when long, shiny, voluminous Hollywood waves were a must; instead, we re embracing a host of braided styles. “Finally,” he says, “Even 10 years ago, only the cool or super confident girl would dare to wear cornrows or even box braids.” Now, those two styles are more common, with clients even trying to remix those classics to deliver a message or achieve a different texture (think: boho, layered, or butterfly). “First, I ask the client how she wants to feel and look, then I always go into research and inspiration,” he explains. “For me, it s fundamental—you can t create hairlook without telling a story.”
Lacy Redway
Growing up, Redway infrequently saw braids in the entertainment world—so every single time she styles or spots them, it s a signal of growth. “I’ve had my own challenges trying to get magazines to approve braid styles for cover shoots, and have also been a part of the change we see on the red carpet today with fearless clients ready to push back on beauty standards,” she says. “Wearing braids on a carpet sends a strong message of confidence and pride. It helps to give the confidence and self-assuredness to other black women and girls that braids belong at every formal and informal event.”
In order to create a look that feels right for a cultural moment, she focuses on the goal of the look, instead of worrying about who can digest the look and the message it creates. “I move with intention, so I most definitely have used hair as a political statement,” she adds. Some of her favorite looks have been her work with Tessa Thompson—be it the braided lengths she created for the star s Creed II premiere in 2018 or the braided cowboy hat for the 2021 Met Gala. “When you have braids, use products to help you maintain moisture and add shine,” she instructs. “As we learned more and started appreciating our styles, we want to make our ancestors proud of how far we’ve come and part of that comes from how we choose to rock our hair.”
Shanna St. Cyr Alexander
St. Cyr Alexander explains that while braids have always had a place at high-profile events, their presence is finally being acknowledged and celebrated in ways that reflect a broader cultural shift that goes far beyond aesthetics. “With the innovation of modern styles and design techniques, braided looks not only command attention but often steal the show,” she says, citing artists like Tyla and Doechii as those who have been pushing braided hairstyles even further into the fashion spotlight and redefining contemporary standards and setting new trends. Take the former, for example, on whom St. Cyr Alexander often fashions boho braids—frequently seen in the star s music videos and live performance. Certainly, Tyla sporting the style has played a part in the prominence of boho braids in mainstream culture. “My inbox was flooded with DMs and emails asking about those braids. People were obsessed, and for good reason—they suited her perfectly and made a bold yet soft statement. She truly owned that look.”
