Curlytreats festival: Sharing Journeys returns this weekend

By Steffie Banatvala

Curlytreats festival returns to Hammersmith in October for the 35th Black History Month, to celebrate black hair, history and heritage under the theme Sharing Journeys.

The festival has been creating a safe environment to amplify black female voices since 2013, as discrimination against black hair continues to affect black women but is often overlooked.

It is a space for Afros, braids, curls, twist-outs and beards too.

Founder, Vinna Best, said: “There is no better time to amplify and celebrate black British culture than during this month.

Our history is also the history of the world, our heritage is rich and vibrant, and our history is your history – we invite you to learn and celebrate with us.”

An interactive programme promises creative workshops, from Zine Making to Paint ‘N’ Party, as well film screenings, hairstyling workshops, black-owned pop-up shops, and thought-provoking conversation.

Screenings of a black Britain on film series will unveil rare archived films to the British public from noon, exploring histories of migration, community and black British culture.

A Windrush Generation photo exhibition will also run all day, dedicated to the lives and experiences of the Windrush generation and their descendants, who helped rebuild Britain after the Second World War.

Best will include unpublished family photographs as part of the Windrush exhibition.

Best added: “My maternal grandfather arrived first from Grenada.

Later, my maternal grandmother travelled from Grenada to England. She cried often because she missed her children left behind in Grenada.

One by one, my mother, her siblings, and other relatives came to England.”

However Best founded Curlytreats after shaving off her chemically straightened hair in 2007 and subsequently struggling to grow her afro hair.

This was due to inadequate afro hair education and products, including the mainstream and black beauty events Best attended.

Through teaching haircare and styling for afro hair, Best aims to inspire confidence in wearing natural hair, while providing direct access to afro hair products and services.

The family-friendly festival runs from 11am until 7pm at Novotel West London on October 15.

Picture: Curlytreats