Photographer Nadine Ijewere has collaborated with hair stylist Jawara for an exhibition presented by Dazed Beauty. Tallawah at Cob Gallery sees the talented London-based duo hail Jamaican women, hair art and dancehall culture. Shot in both Jamaica and the UK, their subjects are of all ages and express their community, radiance and power through this new body of work. As the name suggests (Jallawah is Patois for strong-willed or fearless), these tender portraits are infused with style and fierceness in scintillating measure.

The series also sings with the collaborative energy between Ijewere and Jawara, both of whose work in fashion is currently setting new standards for diverse beauty. Bringing the former to the place of her mother’s birth, and the latter to his childhood home, together they have created a world of joy, intricacy and truth.

“This project is very close to my heart,” says Ijewere, who also shot magazine covers for Nataal and Vogue last year. “It was empowering to be able to explore part of my heritage by photographing these beautiful, strong people. The relationship between hair and identity is one I wanted to capture and celebrate – it’s a story that’s important to tell.”

Tallawah is on view at Cob Gallery, London, from 23 January to 1 February 2020

Photography Nadine Ijewere
Hair Jawara
Styling Nathan Klein
Make-up Lucy Burt
Casting (London) Tytiah Blake at Unit C Casting
Words Helen Jennings

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Published on 20/01/2020