step inside Crowns in Bloom: a celebration of hair, artistry + identity
hair holds memory. it can carry culture, communicate identity, and become a canvas for imagination. our new NYC exhibit Crowns in Bloom brings together an intergenerational group of artists whose work explores hair as a living expression of who we are, where we come from + how we choose to be seen.
through a collection of works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and film, Crowns in Bloom invites guests to consider the crown not simply as something we wear, but as something that can bloom: shaped by history, creativity, community + self-expression.
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“at amika, all hair is welcome™ is more than a promise, it’s our belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, celebrated and free to express who they are,” says Gianne L. Doherty, amika Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Impact. "Crowns in Bloom brings that belief to life, giving artists a platform to explore the powerful role hair plays in shaping how we see ourselves and connect with one another. I’m proud we’re creating a space for these artists and their stories to be seen, and I hope every visitor leaves with a deeper appreciation for the stories hair can tell—and the people behind them."
on view until October 9, 2026 and curated by independent curator, film artist, publisher, and cultural producer Auttrianna Ward, Crowns in Bloom comes to life in New York City’s Chelsea gallery district during New York Art Fair Week.
"we’re a Brooklyn-born, salon-raised brand, and we’ve always been surrounded by incredibly creative people,” amika CEO Chelsea Riggs shared with Forbes. “art has also been part of how amika has shown up in the world from the very beginning, from the prints we put on our tools back in 2007 to the literal artwork featured on our haircare bottles today. New York is also home for us, so being part of a week that celebrates creativity in so many different forms felt like a really exciting way to bring the world of amika into a new space.”
after kicking off with a VIP opening reception with over 200 artists, stylists, influencers, and beauty editors, the exhibit is officially open to the public. here's a sneak peek inside the space.
step inside Crowns in Bloom
the exhibit unfolds across four themes—Hair as Medium, Hair as Play, Hair as Landscape, and Hair as Ritual—creating an immersive journey through the many ways artists have engaged with hair.
“it’s about celebrating the infinite ways hair can look, feel, behave, and what it can mean to the person wearing it,” says Chelsea. “this exhibition lets us take that philosophy beyond the mirror and celebrate the creativity, identity, and culture that hair represents.”
from intimate portraits to sculptural works and unexpected uses of hair as material, the gallery is filled with works that ask guests to slow down and look a little closer.
hairstylist and fine artist Vernon François created a mixed-media piece called “The Tree of Hope” for the exhibit, made entirely by hand using approximately 90% human + synthetic hair.
“the idea came from wanting to create something that felt rooted yet full of possibility. a tree can carry the weight of its history while continuing to grow,” François explains, adding that “hair felt like the right material for telling that story because it carries so much of our own identity, history, and experience.”
naturally, a few amika products helped complete the project.“fluxus touchable flexible hold hairspray gave me the control to shape and reshape the hair without making it feel rigid, while headstrong intense hold hairspray helped secure the final forms once I had achieved the structure I wanted,” he says.“I also used top gloss shine spray to enhance the hair’s finish.”
“The Tree of Hope” is the artist’s first installation in New York, making it especially meaningful. “to me, hope is the belief that growth remains possible, even when the path ahead is unclear. a tree’s roots matter because they anchor and nourish it, but they do not determine how far its branches can reach,” François shares. “I hope someone standing before the tree recognizes a possibility for themselves—perhaps one they have been hesitant or afraid to imagine.”
François says that although he’s spent his life working with hair, it continues to surprise him. he built “The Tree of Hope” on site, letting the space dictate what the final piece would be. “every hair pattern offers its own possibilities, and I love listening to the material and allowing it to guide the work toward something I could not have planned entirely in advance,” he explains. “every detail of this piece was made by hand, and I chose to leave its imperfections visible as part of its character. I hope people take their time with it, walk around it, and discover something within it that speaks to them.”
in addition to “Tree of Hope,” the exhibit features pieces from Merryn Omotayo Alaka and Sam Frésquez, Hiva Alizadeh, Sanié Bokhari, Debra Cartwright, Geoffrey Chadsey, Faith Couch, Akinola Davies Jr. and Cyndia Harvey, Torkwase Dyson, Alanna Fields, Thalía Gochez, Grace Lynne Haynes, Jarrett Key, Clinton King, Emily Manwaring, Joiri Minaya, Chinaedu Nwadibia, Chelsea Odufu, Onajevwe, Andina Marie Osorio, Na’ye Perez, Helen Salomão, Devan Shimoyama, Malick Sidibé, Hidemi Takagi Bastien, Mickalene Thomas, Deborah Willis, Jayoung Yoon, and more.
at amika, community means everything to us, and we’re honored to share Crowns in Bloom with all of you. thank you to the incredible artists, as well as curator Auttrianna Ward, producer Alejandro Jassan + everyone who brought it to life.