Talking Textures

Showcased in the lightboxes of Lower Stable Street in Kings Cross, Talking Textures is an analogue photography exhibition in celebration of textured hair curated by Yasemin Hassan, with images by photographers Yeliz Zaifoglu and Esteshhad Quisay.

Award-winning hairdresser Yasemin Hassan, known for her expertise in textured hair, was inspired to create Talking Textures following her experiences at high-end fashion shoots and London Fashion Week 2023. Frustrated by the industry's Eurocentric beauty norms, Hassan felt compelled to carve out space for SWANA (South-West Asia and North Africa) hair within the fashion landscape. Blending photography, storytelling, and cultural discourse, the project ensures that SWANA hair is not only represented but celebrated—proving that hair is more than aesthetic; it is identity, history, and resilience.

Talking Textures is part of Shubbak Festival, the UK’s largest festival of contemporary Arab and SWANA cultures, spanning London and beyond.  From street corners to iconic venues, the programme showcases dynamic performances, exhibitions, and a wide array of cultural events. Through world premieres, UK debuts, and pioneering commissions, Shubbak strives to champion intersectional, inclusive, and worldbuilding artistic expression.