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. 

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.