Goy Manase by Campbell Addy for The Cut.

‘Practise at Play’ is a new column debuting in the February 2022 issue of The Cut. The presentation exists as a showcase for emerging artists, imagined in the creative mind of Jessica Willis, style director at The Cut.

Practice at Play focuses on hair: Sculpting With Tresses: Hairstylist Issac Poleon’s avant-garde looks are more art than coif in its first feature with hair stylist Isaac Poleon.

Erica Smith writes the words with photographs by Campbell Addy [IG] of models Goy Manase and Nyibol Dok Jok./ Makeup by Bea Sweet; set designer by King Owusu

Nyibol Dok Jok by Campbell Addy for The Cut.

Isaac Poleon Honors the ‘90s

London-based hair stylist [artist] Isaac Poleon’s new salon is called Zazzah’s Place [IG]. The artist grew up in South London where he hung with the “fab girls”, part of his posse of many friends of African heritage. Poleon is very impacted by the ‘90s, telling Erica Smith:

“The ’90s had an essence of hairstyling that doesn’t really exist today outside of referencing the period. That was when hair had a certain type of polished finish and an opulence to it, this special approach and execution.”

Expanding his thoughts, Poleon touches on a reality that many of us understand and experienced in the ‘90s: “There were a lot of experimental styles in school. Everything was always a moment, something that you did to inspire and liberate,” he recalls. “I think a lot of my inspiration comes from that era simply because it was more fearless, almost avant-garde — a lot of updos, partings, details, kinky curls, mixed textures. What I do now is definitely homage to that era.”