Ivory Coast artist Laetitia Ky works with an unusual medium – her hair. By incorporating hair extensions with her natural locs, she sculpts stunning images inspired by everything around her, including animals, musical instruments and women’s reproductive organs. Her work has garnered her an international fan base and over 521,000 followers on Instagram.
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However, her relationship with her hair has been complex, one that began with her trying everything from relaxers to weaves to find a look that made her feel beautiful. But when she found the African American natural hair community in the United States, Ky says she felt at home and confident in her natural beauty.
“Appreciating my hair let me appreciate other things that made me black,” she says. “Like my skin. I’m very dark-skinned and the beautiful Ivorian woman is supposed to be light-skinned. When I started to love my hair, I started to love my skin, and I started to love the fact that I was black. And when I started to love the fact that I was black, it helped me to love the fact that I was a woman. Loving one thing led me to love another thing,” she told The Guardian.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Laetitia Ky designs. Check out some of the stunning works of art she’s created with her hair.
Bee Happy
Ky says she uses glue and wire to create some of her more intricate designs. The warmth of this bee design makes us smile.
Say What, Now?
Ky invited her followers to help her caption this photo. “when bae pick up his phone and move away to discuss !!” was one of our favorites.
Snow Angel
Braunwald, Switzerland was the setting for this beautiful polar bear braid.
“It is not everyday that i have a snowy background to create so i had to do something !” she captioned the March 15 post. “I had fun...and also, who need to create a snowman when we can create a snow baddie ?? 😌😌😌😌😌”
Rainy Season
Ky dedicated this design to the families who have been devastated by flood damage during the rainy season in the Ivory Coast.
“I pray for the bereaved families and those who see their savings vanish. May the sunshine follow the rain and a rainbow of life and happiness lift them up... 🙏🏾.” she captioned the June 17 post.
Lights, Camera, Action!
This 2018 post was inspired by Ky’s dream of becoming an actor.
A Heavy Load
This photo was a tribute to Ivorian women who carry heavy loads both physically and mentally.
“The ways they carry such heavy loads so gracefully to make a living look like the physical representation of the way they also carry in their everyday life a lot of emotional burden and suffering with resilience,” she captioned the post. “It may be impressive to witness, but it also makes you wish their lives were easier.”
Braided Bra Top
Who knew you could braid yourself into a beautiful bra top?
Seeing Clearly
These braided frames look just as good as the real thing.
Dear Mama
Ky says African mothers who have carried babies on their backs for centuries were the inspiration for this design.
Slide Title
Ky says this design was inspired by the Adinkra symbols, which originates from the Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Gye Nyame, shown here, represents “the supremacy of God,” she writes in the caption of her post.
World Music Day
World Music Day inspired Ky to create this braided drum design.
Deep Sea Goddess
Ky says this design was inspired by Yemaya, Yoruba goddess of the sea.
Lost in Music
If only we could hear the song in her head.
Strike a Pose
With this braided style, who needs a selfie stick?
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