Natural hair champion has been crowned as Guinness World Records Icon on World Afro Day.
Glamtush reports that Aevin Dugas from USA – a proud Louisianian and the female holder of the largest afro almost continuously since 2010 has been inducted as a GWR Icon in the latest GWR book, which launched last month.
This iconic news was announced by Guinness World Records (GWR) on World Afro Day today, September 15. This global celebration of Afro hair, established in the UK in 2017, is part of a year-round campaign to call out and counter hair discrimination.
Amazing Aevin Dugas has held the largest afro record almost continuously for 15 years.
The founder of World Afro Day, Michelle De Leon, told GWR: “We love that Aevin Dugas is becoming a GWR ICON on World Afro Day because she is so passionate about Afro hair, and even though she has very long luscious locks, she often chooses to wear it in a statement Afro.
“A win for her is a win for everyone that wants our hair in its natural state to be celebrated.”
Aevin – who is the head of operations at an organization for women with intellectual difficulties – first entered GWR’s orbit thanks in part to her beloved younger sister, Sarah. It was after her sibling posted some photos of Aevin online that a friend commented that her afro may have superlative potential… When GWR saw media reports about Aevin, our researchers reached out, and the rest as they say is history.
The record potential became a reality in October 2010 when measurements were taken at a salon in New Orleans: 18.5 cm (7.3 in) high, 19.6 cm (7.7 in) wide and 132.1 cm (4 ft 4 in) in circumference. It was official: Aevin had the world’s largest afro!
“Being named an ICON by Guinness World Records makes me feel like I’m leaving a little piece of history – or should I say hairstory – in this world, something that will be recognized for ever. I’m not only excited, but forever grateful for the opportunity to spread the message of self-love to Black girls, women and anyone else who needs to hear it. Because everyone – no matter who they are – has the right to feel beautiful, inside and out – Aevin Dugas, holder of the largest afro and now GWR ICON.
What made the record recognition even more meaningful to Aevin in 2010 is that for much of her young life, she had resisted letting her hair grow naturally, instead following an intense – and often damaging – regimen to keep it straight.
But that all changed abruptly one day when she was in her mid-20s: “I woke up one morning questioning why I had to straighten my hair permanently. Why the chemicals, why is this necessary? Why does my texture have to be hidden?”
She continued: “I didn’t decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural.”
It was a turning point in her life at which she received a great deal of support from family – particularly her mother, Deborah, grandmother Louise E Banks – both of whom had proudly rocked their own ’fros for periods of their own lives – as well as her father, Rodney, and sister, Sarah.
Not surprisingly, Aevin often gets asked for advice about how she cares for her hair – and as time has gone on, she has come to increasingly appreciate the words of wisdom her female role models once imparted to her. “My biggest tip used to be patience; my new tip is ‘leave your hair alone’. Of course, things like hot oil treatment, shampoo, conditioner etc are important, but try to find a style where you don’t touch, detangle or manipulate your hair daily.
“My mama used to tell me all the time ‘Keep ya hands out ya head’, and it turns out she and my grandma were right!”
In September 2022, Aevin had her voluminous hairdo assessed where it registered a height of 25 cm (9.8 in) and a whopping circumference of 165 cm (5 ft 4.9 in) – making it the largest afro that GWR has ever ratified in its 70-year history.
It’s not only Aevin’s long tenure in the record books that assured her selection as an ICON – GWR’s highest accolade – though: it’s just as much about how she has used her platform to become a vocal ambassador for natural hair, promoting body positivity and self-acceptance.
Aevin is one of eight inspiring record breakers to have most recently been bestowed ICON status in the GWR 2027 book.
