Thank Christina Jenkins for your Sew-In!

 HAIR! HAIR! HAIR! It's everywhere you turn! You know my motto-your hair, your crown! Ever wonder HOW a sew-in was created or invented? I bet you didn't! As consumers in the chair, our main concern is that we are pleased with the outcome of the style by the stylist. Here in this blog post we will explore the invention of the Sew-In Weave and the evolution of the hair game!

Ms. Jenkins was born December 25, 1920 in Zillplatt, Louisiana. She learned from her mother at a young age how to do hair and her skills improved as she got older. Prior to entering the hair industry, Ms. Jenkins worked as a waitress but knew the income from being a stylist would be more. At that moment, I imagine she knew her destiny was in the hair industry but likely had no idea how much of an impact she was about to make!

In 1951, Ms. Jenkins filed for a patent to secure her invention of her "HairWeev" technique and was granted the patent in 1952! The weave founder and her husband, Duke, opened a hair salon called Christina’s HairWeeve Penthouse Salon located in Cleveland, Ohio. It was here at the salon that Ms. Jenkins introduced her weaving technique and the demand from her clients began to increase rapidly! The new trend of Hair Weaving increased the longevity of the hair install but was very time consuming!

Initially, Ms. Jenkins Hair Weev process required the clients natural hair to be braided down in cornrows. The hair extensions were then sewn to a net. The net was then attached to the clients cornrows. Was the application process effective? YES! Was the application process improvement free? NO. A pro attribute from hair weaving was the hair lasted a long time. On the opposite side, that hair looked bulky and stiff due to the application process. All my QUEENS/KINGS know there is nothing worse than a stiff, bulky wig under your crown!

Nonetheless, stylist and hair connoisseurs from around the world wanted to be educated by Ms. Jenkins to learn her HairWeev method. very similar to present day educational classes that are taught by stylist, Ms. Jenkins held class to teach the masses her unique weaving technique in the states and abroad. Ms. Jenkins had a very successful career as a hair educator and operated her Ohio based salon until 1993. On 11/23/2003, Ms. Jenkins passed away from life at the age of 82 years old. Her entire existence I felt needed to be celebrated to pay homage to an original founder of the hair industry. Sometime after her passing, Ms. Jenkins was commended by previous Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs for her invention and her revolutionary contribution towards cosmetology.

In the 1980's, the weaving technique was improved in the salon by reducing the size of the cornrows of the clients hair. The smaller sized braids made the weave flatter, less bulky, and or favorite-undetectable! The weave was then woven/sewn/stitched to the cornrows of the persons natural hair. A curved needle and thread are used to attach and secure the hair extensions. The slight modifications made to Ms. Jenkins' original hair weaving technique furthered the popularity of human hair extensions. The hair style now offered longevity, a neater appearance, and a more natural realistic crown!

By the end of the 1990's, the United States had created a huge market for hair extensions in the states with the demand for sew-ins growing. And that my QUEENS/KINGS is how we have gotten here today! In the photos you see above a braided foundation has been applied to the clients head. The goal with creating your braid pattern is to have it has neat and flat as possible. In the second photo we see a completed hair weave. The appearance is very natural and seamless-a great recipe for an undetectable weave!