RetroProgressive – Bald style statements

I was hoping bowler hats would make a comeback this season, but I haven’t seen a single example yet. I did spot some rather unique headwear at London Fashion Week yesterday though, including this fascinating curiosity.

Philip Levine is a ‘head designer’, who started using his head as a canvas in 2006, when he began to go bald. He works with a professional body painter to create carefully thought out designs, including his trademark 1000-Swarovski crystal headpiece.

Phil Says “Baldness, the final frontier. To baldly go where no bald man has gone before”

“They’re on a mission from god” , says Phil of this design…

Phil says, “Alternative therapy.”

And “tsunami..”

You can see more quirky head designs at his website – Philsays.com.

Is there something you’d like to say on your head?

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About Author Profile: Susan Muncey

Trend consultant Susan Muncey, is Editor of Visuology Magazine. In 2008, she founded online curiosity shop, ShopCurious.com. She writes on style and trends for several blogs, including Visuology.com, ShopCuriousMag.com and The Dabbler. She previously owned cult West London boutique, Fashion Gallery, one of the first concept stores in the world. Susan graduated in geography from Cambridge University and is also an Associate Member of the CFA Institute. She lives in London with her husband.

14 thoughts on “RetroProgressive – Bald style statements

  1. Gaw
    September 18, 2010 at 08:21

    That first one looks a bit like the much-missed ancient Assyrian helmet – surely due for a revival. I could do with one myself for when I’m assailed by infants wielding sticklebricks. To update it and make it blend in with today’s fashions I think it would be good in Harris Tweed.

  2. johngjobling@googlemail.com'
    malty
    September 18, 2010 at 10:22

    One of life’s great mysteries, circa 2010, is why are there so many baldy stroke shaven headed bods trolling around, is it possibly the descent of European Christian values into a cesspool of secular Dawkininism aided and abetted by Kirsty Wark?

    Or has Arthur Scargill scared the follicles off them.

    Someone really should point out that actually, they look like a pile of plonkers.

    Anyhow I shall retain my Bill Nighy barnet, in perpetuity.

  3. Worm
    September 18, 2010 at 14:18

    If I go bald I shall rent out my head as advertising space. For Mr.Sheen, perhaps

  4. info@shopcurious.com'
    September 18, 2010 at 15:07

    Gaw, the anicient Assyrian helmet sounds like something from The History of the World in 100 Objects. I imagine they’ll do a new version in a few years time – the History of the World in 100 head paintings, or tattoos, or (aimed at the young listener) stickle bricks – never had those in my day – they look rather fun.

    Malty, I too cannot fathom why any young man would wish to shave off his hair (especially if he has some). The fashion for shaven heads does make a man look distinctly thuggish. They’ve obviously never read the story of Samson… Apparently this chap was balding though – so perhaps the prospect of looking like the Baldy Man was so alarming he resorted to these measures.

    Typical Worm, you’re always looking out for the marketing angle!

  5. Worm
    September 18, 2010 at 15:53

    I think the mark of a true man is if he’s tough enough to go ‘the full Terry Nutkins’

  6. s.fawcus@btinternet.com'
    Stephen
    September 18, 2010 at 18:44

    I sport the shaven headed look but in my case it’s because I don’t want the Ralph Coates/Bobby Charlton look. It is irritating when fully haired men follow suit though, if I had a thick growth I’d have a different hairstyle every week.

  7. russellworks@gmail.com'
    ian russell
    September 19, 2010 at 15:13

    Strange, but a joke from childhood came to mind; two fleas on a bald man’s head – No Hiding Place. (It was a popular police drama which pre-dates Z-Cars.) Playground humour has changed a lot, it’s all about rape and sodomy these days.

    I think better ventilation in buildings reduced the number of comb-overs. You’ve either got to go for the Max Wall-Will Gompertz look or shave it close. Either way, resist growing a beard as that’s a real sign of desperation.

    I like the art too but who’s got the time?

  8. martinjpollard@hotmail.com'
    September 19, 2010 at 18:00

    It’s the double “oh my god” effect, shared with much of fashion. There is “oh my God, that’s distinctive/weird/striking/impressive/sexy” (delete as applicable), soon followed by “oh my God, I’d laugh so much if I saw this on the street”. Please, fashionistas of Cardiff, get this sort of thing going on.

  9. info@shopcurious.com'
    September 19, 2010 at 19:31

    Worm, the Terry Nutkins look is curiously cool..
    Stephen, have you ever tried a wig?
    Ian, children and fleas.. no joke. I guess the shaved baldy look is the lazy man’s approach to coiffeure homme
    martpol, please delete sexy immediately!

  10. andrewnixon@blueyonder.co.uk'
    September 19, 2010 at 22:30

    Terry Nutkins came to my house once. Long story. Top claim to fame.

  11. info@shopcurious.com'
    September 19, 2010 at 22:53

    Reminds me of the time I shared a bedroom with a squirrel. Very bushy tale.. involving naked flesh, a broom and lots of bread.

  12. mcrean@snowpetrel.net'
    September 19, 2010 at 23:22

    I spend a bit of time with biker boys and plenty of shaven heads there. I used to think it was because they thought it was more aerodynamic but now I realize it just goes with the territory. Has anyone seen an F1 driver, a Moto GP rider, an astronaut or an X-1 Chuck Yeager type with flowing beardy locks? I guess the idea is that such a type just couldn’t hack it. There ain’t much peace and love at 65,000 mph, baby. For this reason alone, the Slow movement sounds a good idea. You may arrive late, but at least you will be late with plenty of hair.

  13. info@shopcurious.com'
    September 20, 2010 at 15:41

    Long and slow. Yes, I like that concept too.

    Funny that one hardly ever sees a woman with a shaved head..

  14. nigeandrew@gmail.com'
    Nige
    September 21, 2010 at 18:03

    Did you know that Terry Nutkins was raised by squirrels?

Comments are closed.