Laetitia Ky is an artist, photographer, model, actress, activist, fashion designer, and social media influencer from Abidjan, Ivory Coast. She uses her hair as a sculptural medium to ignite awareness and conversations around the social justice topics she champions: sex-based and racial oppression, harmful beauty standards, and shame and its corrosive effect on mental health, among others. Ky and her art and activism have been featured in NYLON, Ebony, Elle, on CNN.com, and more, and she has partnered with brands such as Apple, Canada Goose and Marc Jabobs on social content creation. Ky was named one of PAPER magazine's "top 100 people taking over 2019." You can follow her art and activism on TikTok and Instagram: @LaetitiaKy.
""After following Laetitia Ky on Instagram for many years, it is
thrilling to be able to see her photographs in print. It's even
more satisfying to learn about her point of view through the
personal stories and political beliefs that inspire her at times
playful and poignant images. Ky's work is moving and bold."
- EMILY RATAJKOWSKI, author of My Body,
"
""Artist, activist and influencer Ky is known for sculpting her own
hair to create powerful and joyful artwork that embraces the beauty
of Black hair and style. In her first book she showcases 125
photographs of her creations, interwoven with stories about her
Ivory Coast childhood and more."
- The Bookseller (UK),
"
""There is no subject that Laetitia Ky can't address in her art
with openness and insightfulness. What she creates with her hair
and body brings beauty to the universal freights that plague women
of color. I found it impossible not to fall for her striking beauty
along with her gorgeous heart."
- GABOUREY SIDIBE, actress and author of This is Just My Face,
"
"A stunning collection of urgent, intimate essays paired with
powerful, annotated photos of Ky wearing her hair sculptures, often
in lush outdoor Ivorian settings. Seamlessly marrying style and
substance, the sculptures and essays reveal the author's journey of
self-acceptance, raise awareness of a wide range of social issues,
and celebrate African aesthetic and spiritual traditions....Come
for the beautiful art as activism, stay for the deeply personal
memoir and rich cultural history."
- Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
"Buy this book! Read it, then buy it for young women, and for young
Black women especially. While its message will be most powerful for
young women like Ky, it is also for any woman who needs to be
reminded about how to be resilient in the face of all that women go
through. It is a wonderful celebration, and a defiant shout."
-- Shona Reads blog
"Ky frames her sculptural work within personal narratives that dig
into issues of mental health, internalized misogyny, African
heritage, sexism, self-care, Black beauty and other themes close to
her heart. As a member of a new global guard of young creatives who
refuse to separate their work from their beliefs and values, Ky is
poised to become a strong role model for young people finding their
way in the world."
-- BookPage
"This is a fantastic book that is half personal essay and half
photography...Laetitia Ky's hair sculptures and modeling is
absolutely magnificent....I think this would be a lovely book to
keep on your coffee table. Four stars."
-- Latitude's Library blog
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