Lupita Nyong’o 2018 Oscars Red Carpet (Rick Rowell/Getty Images)
“Black Panther” star Lupita Nyong’o slayed her fierce red carpet look at the 90th Academy Awards while also letting the world know she’s single….maybe.
Many may not have noticed the Wakandan warrior’s mane has a history. The look was influenced by Amasunzu hairstyles that are traditional to Rwandan culture. The Amasunzu is a hairstyle that’s grown and cut into lunula forms. Traditionally, the style was worn by women before they were married. For men, especially the warriors, it symbolized bravery and prestige. Maybe Nyong’o was feeling both brave and flirtatious. Today the style is mostly worn to denote pride in one’s culture.
Nyong’o’s stylist Vernon François, said it was important to incorporate the “Queen of Katwe” star’s African roots into the evening look. “Lupita’s look was inspired by images of Amasunzu hairstyles, which are traditional to Rwandan culture. We wanted something clean and sculpted to accent her dress and show off the neckline”, François told HelloGiggles in a press release.
Here’s the look from a photo captured in 1923.
