Curl Fete 2024 is slated for hosting on August 17 and 18 at the Promenade Gardens in Georgetown. This year’s slash water theme aims to educate participants about the importance of moisture and haircare, especially as it relates to keeping hair follicles hydrated.
Curl Fete Co-founder Tamika Henry-Fraser
Created with the purposes of empowering women and girls to embrace the uniqueness of their naturally textured hair, nurture conversations on self-confidence, and celebrate the joy of caring for kinky and curly hair while aiming to eliminate stereotypes surrounding natural hair, Curl Fete is recognised as one of the largest curated annual natural hair, beauty and wellness exhibitions in the Caribbean.
The event is anticipated to guarantee sheer excitement, positive energy, and high spirits as it brings together hair and beauty enthusiasts in a diverse and inclusive space to engage with a variety of brands on display by dozens of entrepreneurs.
In fact, co-founder Tamika Henry-Fraser has said that over 50 vendors have already signed up to be featured at the two-day event.
“One of the most important things about our vendors is that they’re small businesses, and many of them are women led start-ups. Curl Fete is one of the most important business events for them throughout the year, because it’s their opportunity to really promote their brand and market their products to thousands of people…and I think that is so impressive for an expo, and it means that there are these many small businesses in Guyana creating their own products and putting some (value) on the market. And at Curl Fete we are so trilled and proud to be able to capture those vendors,” Henry-Fraser told this publication.
Another crucial component of Curl Fete is that it provides rich education on cultivating a culture of self-expression that is grounded on women and girls boldly navigating their individual hair journeys while persistently overcoming daily societal challenges.
Curl Fete representative Jovan Wilson
At the same time, the event ensures access to the necessary resources these vendors need to positively impact their businesses and lives, according to Curl Fete representative Jovan Wilson.
“The inclusivity is important, and Curl Fete creates the environment for learning. Even though it is a fun one, it really gives you an opportunity to belong to a community of people that are taking care of their hair, and are educated about the identity of their hair, and are proud to wear their hair as is,” Wilson said.
Natural hair extravaganza
Those who make their way to Curl Fete 2024 would experience an impressive line-up of activities. These activities would spotlight beauty, fashion, cosmetics, food and beverage, health and wellness, traditions and culture, and tons more.
The event would also feature the return of classics like the Carol’s Daughter Hair Show that would see salons competing to win prizes, and there would be a segment wherein one lucky lady would be the ‘Big Chop Girl’ and get a makeover from Glamour Beauty.
Team work makes the dream work
Henry-Fraser has emphasised that to successfully execute annual Curl Fete events involves organising the team into different committees. Each team comprises of experts with backgrounds in public relations, science, banking, healthcare, marketing, carpentry and hospitality.
The teams are able to provide key support in areas such as public relations, vendors, entertainment, décor, content production, and security, to name but a few.
Vendors usually get the opportunity to display different brands at Curl Fete. “I am incredibly proud of the team of young people that make up the Curl Fete family; who are committed to giving back to our community as much as they are invested in creating a one-of-a-kind event,” she noted, before stating: “Our approach to planning and leadership is collaborative and decisive at the same time. One of my favourite things about the team is our willingness to take risks in planning and advertising Curl Fete in ways that are not typically done.”
