Born in France to parents of Haitian descent, photographer Alexandre Desane remarks how natural hair has always been a significant marker of identity and part of his everyday life. His series Crépus, which began in 2019, is an on-going photographic celebration of natural Black hair in France. While working on a global project on racism, Alexandre was continuously confronted with the systemic issue of hair discrimination, “I kept hearing about Black people getting fired because of their hair, and this really became the starting point of this photo series–I needed to celebrate Black hair.” Shot exclusively outdoors and on black and white film, Alexandre’s photographs reject the calculated environment of studio space and lighting; instead, offering pared down, candid glimpses of Black hair. These compositional choices reinforce the core message of his series–the importance of seeing and celebrating the natural beauty and charisma of Black hair in our everyday lives.

-Alexa Fahlman

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