Published July 7, 2016 at 8:18 PM Updated July 12, 2016 at 7:52 AM
There’s a new look on the streets of Havana. Now that Cuban hairdressers are allowed to set up their own private salons, there has been an increase in the number of young men wearing unusual and often outlandish hairstyles.
CCTV America’s Michael Voss went to Havana to see what the trend is all about.
In the heat of summer, hundreds of Cubans spend their evenings chilling on Havana’s seafront, Malecon. These days, many of the young men and boys are sporting what has become the latest fashion: creative hairstyles — some more creative than others.
Cuban hairstyles
CCTV America's Michael Voss and crew interview some Cuban men about their hairstyles.
Dorian Carbonell is owner of the Donde Dorian Salon
Dorian Carbonell is one of the pioneers of bringing these hair styles to Cuba. He owns and runs a hair salon “Donde Dorian” which attracts celebrities and young Cubans wanting the latest fashion styles. “Until recently, Cuban men weren’t so concerned about their image, today that’s changed.” He considers himself one of the pioneers in getting young Cuban men to care about how they look. “We’ve taken European and Latin American trends and adapted them to our culture.”
Cuban hairstyles
Cuban hairstyles
Singer Ivan “Divan” Sotelo
Musician and singer Ivan “Divan” Sotelo says, "Every generation wants to rebel and break the norms. By doing this you advance in life, you make new styles, new haircuts and new music.”
Alejandro Cruz, age 19
In referring to his hairstyle Alejandro Cruz, age 19, says, “My family finds it weird, but times change and the fashion with it.” “These hair styles represent the kind of culture here today with the arrival of new fashions from Europe, including dye, colors and bleaching,” said Cruz.
Jonathan Pacheco, Hairstyle El Abultado - Bulky
High school student Jonathan Pacheco,16, had his hair styled like this as school ended and the summer vacations began. “My parents are happy they think it’s cute.”
Music promoter Ernesto Hernandez
Music promoter Ernesto Hernandez sports a hairstyle called Tiburon-Shark. “Looking good is my hobby and what I like is to show off my hair style. It’s in fashion, and this is the time to do it, because I am young,” Hernandez said.
Musician and singer Ivan “Divan” Sotelo
“Music breaks barriers and people like to follow artists, their fashions and hair styles,” said musician and singer Ivan “Divan” Sotelo.
Jonathan Pacheco
High school student Jonathan Pacheco,16, sports a hairstyle called El Abultado - Bulky.
Oscar Rene
This is bartender Oscar Rene’s first time at this hairdresser looking for a radical style. “I was a little nervous, this is quite a radical change,” he says. “I’m looking for something modern which doesn’t have a negative impact on my work.”
Joelby Alvarez
Taxi driver and tourist guide Joelby Alvarez says, “It is a way to feel younger, feel good, feel like still being in the best stage of our lives despite the passing years.”
Ernesto Hernandez
Music promoter Ernesto Hernandez sports a hairstyle called Tiburon-Shark.
Cuban hairstyles
CCTV America's Michael Voss and crew interview some Cuban men about their hairstyles.
Cuban hairstyles
Oscar Rene
This is bartender Oscar Rene’s first time at this hairdresser looking for a radical style. “I was a little nervous, this is quite a radical change,” he says. “I’m looking for something modern which doesn’t have a negative impact on my work.”
Ivan “Divan” Sotelo
“Music breaks barriers and people like to follow artists, their fashions and hair styles,” said musician and singer Ivan “Divan” Sotelo.
Cuban hairstyles
CCTV America's Michael Voss and crew interview some Cuban men about their hairstyles.
It has become a way of expressing individuality in a country where fashionable clothes are expensive and hard to find.
“Old people do criticize us. For me, looking good is my hobby and what I like is to show off my hair style. It’s in fashion, and this is the time to do it, because I am young,” music promoter Ernesto Hernandez said.
Musicians first started the trend here, with fans following a new generation of reggaeton and urban singers like Ivan “Divan” Sotelo.
Divan is a regular customer at Havana’s trendiest hair salon, which specializes in outlandish styles.
“Every generation wants to rebel and break the norms. By doing this you advance in life, you make new styles, new haircuts and new music,” Divan said.
For the first time, Cuban men are starting to use dyes, gels and sprays and display partly-shaved heads.
Until a few years ago the state employed all hairdressers in Cuba and had the the same fixed low prices and fairly standard haircut. Now all of that has changed.
The driving force behind these new styles is Dorian Carbonell. He started as a state-employed barber, but today has turned his home in a residential neighborhood of Havana into “the” salon for alternative hairstyles, Donde Dorian Salon. Most of his clientele are men.
“Until recently, Cuban men weren’t so concerned about their image. Today, that’s changed and I’m one of the pioneers in encouraging young men to care about how they look. We’ve taken European and Latin American trends and adapted them to our culture,” Carbonell said.
Carbonell has become an expert at publicizing his business, organizing demonstrations and fashion shows in Havana. Macho Cuba is taking on a new look.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.