Sept. 12, 2025

Creative Inquiry: 7 Questions with Jawara

Jawara. Like Beyoncé, Naomi, Rihanna. One name is all you need.

Those who know him recognize the tidal wave of talent he brings — responsible for shaping some of the most unforgettable crowns of our time, whether on red carpets, in editorials, or across brand campaigns. His collaborators read like a roll call of icons: Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Serena Williams, Bella Hadid, Erykah Badu…the list continues.

We saw his creative hand firsthand in Excess All Areas, our 72 Magazine shoot where Gabriel Moses reframed high jewellery and Julia Sarr-Jamois brought the styling to life. The shoot was a collision of opulence and imagination, where jewellery became scripture, hair turned mystical, and every frame radiated sharp, ethereal luminosity.

Jawara’s work is layered, dimensional, often otherworldly — the kind of genius that makes you stop and ask: What’s going on in that head? We asked him seven quick questions to find out.

See the full Excess All Areas shoot by Gabriel Moses, styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois, in 72 Magazine — available now.

ELODIE wears cotton and silk dress, LOUIS VUITTON. Opal, emerald, diamond, gold and platinum earrings and necklace, LOUIS VUITTON

SHAMI wears wool jacket and skirt, MIU MIU. Yellow diamond, diamond and gold earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring, DE BEERS

EE72

If your kit could spill secrets, which tool would have the wildest tales?

If my kit could spill secrets, I think the wildest stories would be told by my flat irons — they’ve been through some things.

EE72

What’s the most unexpected material you’ve ever worked into hair—and how did you pull it off?

I’ve worked with everything from household appliances to sheetrock and stones. Honestly, I’ve done it all — and somehow, I always manage to pull it off.

EE72

Is there a dream hairstyle still living in your head that’s too ambitious, too wild, or just waiting for the right moment?

There’s no hairstyle in my head that’s too wild. I believe wild hairstyles are meant to be worn. Growing up in Jamaica, I saw all kinds of bold, creative looks, so I welcome it—the wilder, the better.

EE72

If you could collide with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and what kind of chaos or beauty would you create together?

I would’ve loved to create with Michael Jackson or Basquiat. I think that would’ve been an insane collaboration.

ACHOL wears cashmere dress, MCQUEEN. Ruby, garnet, diamond and gold brooch, ruby, diamond gold and platinum bracelet, and emerald, ruby, blue and mauve sapphire, diamond and gold ring, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

EE72

Share a “happy accident”: When everything went sideways but the result was better than the plan.

One of the happiest accidents I’ve ever had in hair was the closing look for my section in the Black Hair Re-Imagined show in New York, May 2025. I accidentally poured a chemical on the hair, and it turned out to be incredible.

EE72

What’s something outside of fashion — music, art, street life — that secretly fuels your vision but people wouldn’t guess?

Honestly, I’m inspired by people — watching how they move through the world always fuels me. Human connection is one of the most important things to me, and if people can connect through my work, that inspires me even more.

EE72

How do you experiment when it’s just you, your crew, or family — your no-rules playground?

When I experiment, it’s usually in a closed-off environment with friends and family — or sometimes just by myself. There are no rules, always loud music playing, and that energy helps me create magic.

Photographer GABRIEL MOSES at Concrete Rep. Stylist JULIA SARR-JAMOIS at Best Rep. Hair JAWARA at Art Partner. Makeup AURORE GIBRIEN at Bryant Artists. Jewelry & Watches director RACHEL GARRAHAN. Nails ERI NARITA at WSM. Set design EMILIA MARGULIES at Concrete Rep. Movement director MANU LOCA at Vision Curate. DOP NADIA SZYMANSKA at API. Production CONCRETE REP. On-set production SHAPE PRODUCTION. Casting PIERGIORGIO DEL MORO for DM Casting. Lighting director DARREN KARL-SMITH. Digitech ZAKI MAAYOUFI. 1st AC MARTIN GRILLET. Styling assistants CAMILLA ZOURDANI, OLIVIA LAGHI. Hair assistants JULIEN GONZALES, KAÏZY. Make-up assistant NANASE ITO. Manicure assistant TESSIDY SOLEIL. Set design assistants CAROLINE CURDY, JUSTINE JALADIS, LOUISA AARRASS. Casting associate JULIUN WILLIAMS. Retouching THE HAND OF GOD. Studio LITTLE GRAND STUDIO. Models ACHOL KUIR at Metropolitan Models, ANNEMARY ADERIBIGBE at Premium, ELODIE GUIPAUD at Women Management, SHAMI at Women Management, VICTORIA FAWOLE at Ford.