The Big Snip
I was in the shower (the place where I make a lot of big decisions) a couple of weeks ago and decided to cut all of my hair off to raise money for Womankind.
Cutting off women’s hair is often done forcibly in conflict, in prisons, or when a woman becomes a widow. For many women their hair is an important part of their identity. And the style that they choose to wear is an important expression of who they are. I have always had long hair, apart from the one time I had a bob cut and thought that was a big deal. I rarely even wear my hair up. I loved having long, flowing hair that I could wear in different ways, fiddle with all day long and hide behind when I want to.
The idea of not having that anymore was terrifying but I had a feeling that it also might be strangely liberating. I wasn’t 100% sure that I wanted to do it, and started talking to friends and family. A few of my female friends were really excited about it, but most people asked me if I was sure or told me not to do it.
When I found out that I had enough hair to make wigs for up to three little girls with cancer, I knew that I had to do it. I have a couple of friends who have cancer and I know that losing their hair is a big part of what scares them. So I have decided to donate my hair to the Little Princesses Trust.
I was excited but very nervous. Lots of strange and contradictory ideas flashed through my mind. Will I will be judged and treated differently? What if I hate it? What if I like it so much that I have short hair for the rest of my life? It’s an adventure to see what does happen, if I will feel like a different person and how people I know and people that I meet react to me.
I hope that as well as challenging my own perceptions about my hair, and donating it to charity that I can raise money for Womankind Worldwide. Having all my hair cut off by choice in a nice London hair salon is nothing like the traumatic experience that many women experience but it’s a gesture of solidarity and support.
My target is to raise £50 per inch, making the total £1000. You can sponsor me at https://www.justgiving.com/Amisha-Hair/
Post by Amisha Ghadiali, Ethical Fashion Campaigner, Social Entrepreneur, Designer and Womankind Ambassador
Womankind Worldwide extends thanks to Percy & Reed and Creative Stylist Lacey Hawkins for sponsoring the cut, to photographer Sarah Leslie for documenting the process, and to Amisha for saying goodbye to her hair for us.
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