The trendy, fashion conscious young male of the twenty first century is likely to spend just as much time and money on his hair as his female counterpart. Whether inspired by the shaggy chic look of Ashton Kutcher, or the more sophisticated image portrayed by Zac Efron, it is probable that his hairstyle of choice has been popularised by some celebrity or another. However, it would be wrong to assume that this is a new phenomenon, as celebrity culture has influenced male formal hairstyles for several decades now.It was as far back as the 1940's that emerging movie stars such as Cary Grant first introduced the male population to hair products. Grant's precision cut and distinctive side parting were complimented by a liberal smattering of styling wax which helped create the suave, debonair image he became renowned for. For perhaps the first time, he had created a look which was admired by women and imitated by men in equal measure.
The Pompadour hairstyles of Hollywood icons James Dean and Elvis Presley continued this hair fixation well into the 1950's. It is no small feat that they were able to openly display a commitment to the upkeep of their immaculate personal appearance, whilst simultaneously maintaining their masculinity with apparent ease.
The floppy Mop Top style of Liverpool's most famous export The Beatles was synonymous with the 1960's, and was copied not only by their legions of fans, but by their fierce rivals The Rolling Stones.
Bob Marley introduced the world to Dreadlocks in the mid to late 1970's and perhaps the fashion world would rather forget the notorious Mohawks sported by punk bands of that same era, not to mention the equally ridiculed Mullet championed by Billy Ray Cyrus in the 1980's.
No matter what the decade, the stars of the time have always shaped fashion and with it male formal hairstyles. The influence of celebrity today may be greater than ever before, but is in no way a modern development. For better or worse, the upper echelons of the male cranium look set to continue to derive their image rather firmly from celebrity roots!
Bob Marley introduced the world to Dreadlocks in the mid to late 1970's and perhaps the fashion world would rather forget the notorious Mohawks sported by punk bands of that same era, not to mention the equally ridiculed Mullet championed by Billy Ray Cyrus in the 1980's.
No matter what the decade, the stars of the time have always shaped fashion and with it male formal hairstyles. The influence of celebrity today may be greater than ever before, but is in no way a modern development. For better or worse, the upper echelons of the male cranium look set to continue to derive their image rather firmly from celebrity roots!
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