Josephine Bakers Iconic Eton Crop

In the early 1920’s A new chapter of freedom and style emerged for women, corsets were shunned and loose long line dresses were the height of style embracing colours and even bright, neon ensembles. The flapper image is synonymous with the 1920s for most people. A flapper, with  short skirts, short hair, dark make-up, and fun-loving attitude represented a new freedom for women. Highly publicized flappers shortened their skirts, drank alcohol, smoked, and otherwise defied society’s expectations of proper conduct for young women.

Hair cuts were for the first time short and sharp. Josephine Baker at this time led the way with a style called the ‘Eton crop’; a short shining sleek hairstyle with curls pasted to the cheek and forehead. A style so sleek it appeared to have been painted on. It was a very new and dramatic, even considered shocking hairstyle for the time.

Josephine developed a hair product to help others to emulate the look. It was a brilliantine called ‘Bakerfix’. The fashion for this style was a perfect match to the very fashionable Cloche hats of the era.

The style was indeed contentious, and was adopted as a favourite by radical flappers and masculine lesbians.
As ever the Iconic Josephine Baker was at the cutting edge of style, and the leader of a movement which celebrated empowerment.

Riad Star, the former home of Josephine in the ancient and exotic Marrakech Medina is a haven which celebrates this zest for life, freedom and progress. We invite you to spend time immersed in the space and to feel the echoes of this great and empowering woman.