Girls challenging the traditions by Keeping their “armpit hair”
Cairo: HelloEgy.
A striking photo series of women showing off their underarm hair is challenging the conventional standards of beauty. The photographer Ben Hopper recruited dozens of models and actresses to grow out their body hair for the Natural Beauty series, with the aim of proving that women don't need to conform to society's expectations in order to be attractive in his own point of view.
The “armpit hair” in the Arab countries is considered a prove for being”dirty”. But still some people think the opposite. They think that shaving this part of the body is a mere social tradition. Others went to consider keeping it is a kind of fashion or personal freedom, like Madonna and Lady Gaga. 'The whole point is contrast between fashionable female beauty and the raw unconventional look of female armpit hair,' the Israeli-born photographer told the Huffington Post.
He also added that : 'I expect [the photos] will surprise a lot of people and I guess, in a way, that is one of my intentions.'
In one of the black-and-white photos, designer Alessandra Kurr strikes a pose with one arm bent over her head, revealing the hair underneath.
Another image shows performer Cassia Tsura holding her dreadlocked hair up with both hands.
Mr Hopper explained that standards of beauty have been so ingrained in our consciousness that one of his models even pulled out of the project at the last minute because she was 'grossed-out' by her own body hair.
On the contrary, the photographer says he has no problem with a woman going au naturel - quite the opposite, in fact.
'As I matured as a person and an artist, I realized I liked [armpit hair],' he revealed. 'I think it can be a beautiful look.'
According to Daily Mail, his project is a kind of protesting against the “beauty industry” . He said : 'Although armpit hair is a natural state it has become a statement. For almost a century we have been brainwashed by the beauty industry, encouraging hair removal. Natural Beauty could be classified as a type of protest.
'By creating a contrast between common "fashionable" female beauty and the raw unconventional look of female armpit hair, thoughts are intrigued and a discussion is made,' he explains.
And while he hopes to spark a discussion, Mr Hopper adds that he doesn't want to enforce his personal views on anyone, only to open people's minds to the many varieties of beauty.
'I don't want to say that I want women to start growing their armpit hair,' he said. 'I just think that it's a possibility and people shouldn't dismiss it. 'I'd like people to just question [beauty standards], the whole thing.'
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