Michelle Breyer, co-founder of NaturallyCurly.com, has been
on the frontlines of the curly hair revolution since 1998. The former business
journalist was inspired to start the website after “a lifetime of fighting my
curly hair and feeling like I didn't fit the accepted standard of beauty.” Now curly hair sisters of all races and ethnic backgrounds can learn Breyer’s tips of the trade in her first book, The Curl Revolution: Inspiring Stories andPractical Advice from the NaturallyCurly Community. We caught up with the busy entrepreneur,
via email.
![]() |
Photo courtesy of NaturallyCurly |
Everything She Wants:
How did the idea for NaturallyCurly.com come about?
Michelle Breyer:
[After] a few mimosas at a party. I was working as a reporter at a newspaper
with some fellow curly friends and we were complaining about our hair on a
humid Austin day. Someone overheard us and thought it was crazy that people
could spend so much time talking about their hair. He suggested we start a
newspaper or a website. We literally got on a computer at the party and
created the URL. We wanted to create a place for people like us.
ESW: Did working
as a business reporter lay the foundation for you to become an entrepreneur?
Breyer: It helped
that I had covered a wide range of entrepreneurs who all had an idea that they
turned into a business - from John Mackey of Whole Foods to Herb Kelleher of
Southwest Airlines - they saw a need and created something to fill that need.
But I realize now how little I knew of what it actually took to start a
business.
ESW: Since you are
Caucasian and have a looser texture of curly hair, in the beginning of
NaturallyCurly.com did any women of color with different hair textures voice concern that
you wouldn't be able to relate to their hair issues?

ESW: What can
readers expect from your book, “The Curl Revolution: Inspiring Stories and Practical Advice
from the NaturallyCurly Community"?
Breyer: Readers
have told me they found it very powerful to see so many people - both well
known and not - who shared their stories. They also liked seeing so many
philosophies and perspectives in one place. We don't promote just one technique
or one brand. The book takes readers through every step of the curl
experience.
ESW: How did your
Fashion Week show, Texture on the Runway, come about?
Breyer: When I
began covering New York Fashion Week for NaturallyCurly a decade ago, I had a
full appreciation of the power of fashion. But with each show, I was
increasingly aware of the lack of diversity of the models. Whether the hair was
parted down the middle or pulled back in a ponytail, there was barely a curl or
kink in sight. And the models were, almost exclusively, white. Never one
to accept the status quo, I was back in Austin complaining about the runway
looks with our global editor at the time, Cassidy Blackwell, after returning
from Fashion Week in 2011. She shared my frustration. We thought, "Why
don’t we create a runway show all about curls. Why don’t we celebrate the
diversity of texture on the runway!” If we were going to do it, we wanted
to do it big. People told us we'd never be able to get people to a
"hair" fashion show during Fashion Week. The venue was packed. Our
2016 show was even bigger and better. And this year's event at Gotham Hall took
it to a whole different level!
ESW: How did you get all of the hair brands/sponsors on board for Texture on the Runway?
![]() |
Photo courtesy of Everything She Wants |
ESW: How did you get all of the hair brands/sponsors on board for Texture on the Runway?
Breyer: With
brands and retailers looking for unique opportunities to showcase their
products for curly and coily hair, Texture on the Runway offers a unique
opportunity. Many actually approached us about participating. In fact Sally
Beauty attended [a previous] event and asked us to reserve it for them this
year. For many brands participating in Fashion Week, it has been
frustrating not to have control over the vision for the hair. It's usually up
to the fashion designers. So they love the idea of having free rein over the
hairstyles they create.

Comments
Post a Comment