Year: 1951

Who: Christina Jenkins

Where: Cleveland, Ohio

In 1951, Christina Jenkins revolutionized the beauty industry with her innovative "HairWeev" technique, a method of sewing hair extensions onto a person's natural hair using a needle and thread. This approach provided a more secure and natural-looking alternative to the wigs and hairpieces commonly used at the time. Jenkins' invention not only enhanced hairstyling options but also laid the foundation for the modern hair weaving industry.

Jenkins' expertise extended beyond her initial invention. After obtaining her patent in 1952, she established Christina's HairWeeve Penthouse Salon in Cleveland, Ohio, where she offered her services and trained other stylists in her technique. She also traveled internationally, conducting workshops and demonstrations to share her method. Despite challenges in enforcing her patent, Jenkins' work significantly influenced the beauty industry, providing African American women with new avenues for self-expression and entrepreneurship.

Today, Christina Jenkins' legacy endures in the widespread use of hair weaving techniques, which have evolved to include various methods like bonding, clip-ins, and tape-ins. Her pioneering work not only transformed hairstyling practices but also empowered countless individuals to explore their creativity and identity through hair. Jenkins' story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the impact of innovation and resilience in overcoming societal barriers and shaping cultural landscapes.

Sources:

Websites:

• IBS New York. (n.d.). Christina Jenkins. IBS New York. https://www.ibsnewyork.com/ibsnewyorkcom/christina-jenkins

• Stylist. (2021, February 17). Christina Jenkins: The woman who invented the weave. Stylist. https://www.stylist.co.uk/visible-women/christina-jenkins-weave-inventor-facts-biography-accomplishments-black-history/214371