If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in a library? ~Lily Tomlin (actor)

Through history hair has been part of fashion trends and has made statements about social class, religious belief and belonging to groups, clubs and sects.

The objects in this exhibition take a look at the styling and decoration of ladies’ hair from the 1800s to 2005.

Objects included Japanese remedies for baldness made using liquorice, and an electric comb that was claimed to stop hair going grey and to cure dandruff.

This exhibition also featured peg dolls and self-portraits by children from Havercroft J&I School.

Activities

At Knottingley children and grown ups made masks with wacky hairstyles inspired by the objects on display.

Dates:Havercroft Library, September - December 2004, Knottingley Library, December 2004 -March 2005, Normanton Library, March – June 2005.