Michelle’s ‘hair apparents’

It’s a part of the proverbial tide. Hairstyles, we mean — for history is replete with every age carting along its own sense of added chutzpah to an already existing drama of hair adornment. If Shirley Temple’s ringlet curls had women putting their own hair into mega-tight curls, you also had Lucille Ball’s flaming red hair make a striking picture as she burst across TV screens, Audrey Hepburn flaunting her pixie cut and Farah Fawcett’s feathered back hairdo that made men swoon.

And nowadays, joining Jennifer Aniston in her cute-girl-next-door blonde mane and Katie Holmes’ dark bob is Michelle Robinson Obama, First Lady of America’s ‘neo-classic’ cut. While she’s been called an elegant dresser by fashionistas the world over, her hairstyle too is making waves everywhere — with everything from a hairstyling product manufacturer marketing Michelle Obama Hair Spray to posters of the power woman at salons abroad. But, has her hairstyle found favour over here?

Says celebrity hairstylist Adhuna Akhtar, “Oh yes! Michelle’s is an elegant variation of the classic bob and so many women are already wearing it here.” She says it’s a style that goes well with Indian outfits, especially saris. Ask Adhuna who’d suit it best amongst the current crop of actors, and the answer comes pat: “Deepika Padukone — she has the face that can carry it off and lovely hair too!”

Hairstylist Colleen Khan says Michelle’s ‘politically correct’ hairstyle is very pleasing. “It’s heavy on top and flipped out at the nape — a young, modern version of Jackie O, which goes well with her professional outlook,” she explains. While she echoes the thought that it has been around in India, “It’s still popular and very appropriate with Indian and Western wear. If I had to put it up, I’d use diamantes and paisleys for a more formal look.” And who’d she like to see this hairstyle on? “Bipasha Basu,” Colleen says. “She has a great face-cut with striking features.”

Nalini Naegamvala of Nalini & Yasmin says Michelle’s “timeless bob goes well with a power lady making a statement with her confidence.” Her vote to whom it would suit the best: “Shabana Azmi. As this cut is clean, classic and very composed. To give the cut a different look, it could be styled with the ends being flicked out which gives it a more fun look. Also, a hair band would give it a 60’s feel.”