Images of Beauty: The Pretty Series

The Pretty series curated by Antonia Opiah of Un-Ruly and sponsored by Hairfinity, explores concepts and varied experiences of beauty by women of color across the world in an effortless and artistically inspiring way.
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Image courtesy of Un-Ruly

The society in which we are raised inevitably impacts the understanding we have of our own image. The Pretty series curated by Antonia Opiah of Un-Ruly and sponsored by Hairfinity, explores concepts and varied experiences of beauty by women of color across the world in an effortless and artistically inspiring way. Initially focusing on cities such as Milan, Tel-Aviv, London and Paris, these stories tell a very different yet connected experience of beauty and how women of color have come to terms with their own definitions of beauty in each of these varied societies.

As said by Antonia, "Pretty is a digital postcard from women around the world to women around the world as told through a weekly documentary series. It explores just how nuanced beauty can be by not only taking a look at how beauty standards vary from country to country but also how they might vary within a city."

When listening to the stories of each of the women featured in the series you can't help but to see a theme of strength that comes by growing up in a society where beautiful, diverse images of women that look like you are just not readily available. Many of us come to terms with what true beauty is and how it is reflected in our own lives by first encountering a confusion around what Black beauty is supposed to be. Over time all people of color have had to take control of their own definition of beauty and then find ways to express that individually. We determine what is beautiful to us whether it is a tangible thing or if it runs deeper than that for us.

Watching webisode after webisode I found myself questioning my own ideas of beauty. I connected most with the definition of genuine beauty as described by Minna from London, "Genuine beauty is everlasting and linked to an emotional world, a passion for experiencing life." This is the beauty I will continue to pursue and value in my life. I will push to advocate this type of beauty in the young women of color I mentor and encounter daily.

To preview the series visit: Culture Complex

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