Henna has been well and truly reinvented, with one artist in particular giving this traditional body art a decidedly modern makeover. Dubai-based Azra Khamissa is offering women across the world a way to let their strength and femininity shine. Her quirky, contemporary designs for any occasion range from the simple to the downright minimalist, giving henna a brand-new playground beyond its traditional domain of weddings and Islamic celebrations. She has shot to fame on Instagram, leading to a slew of media attention. So what is she all about? And how does she help strong African women celebrate their beauty?
A new, minimalist approach
She goes by the Instagram moniker of ‘Dr.Azra’ and has taken the social media platform by storm. In just two years, Azra Khamissa has become a household name for henna. She has gained over 100,000 followers, landed deals with top brands like Gucci, Puma and Nike, and launched a signature non-toxic henna brand that has been flying off the shelves.
Her aspiration? To offer Muslim millennials like herself a vehicle to express themselves through their beauty. Tattoos are strictly prohibited in Islam and henna, a body art form dating back more than 5,00 years, offers a way around that. It thus enables Asian, Middle Eastern and North African girls and women to make a bold, beautiful statement that will wash off in just two weeks.
Her designs? An unconventional yet widely accepted take on the traditional henna art form, her artwork incorporates Middle Eastern as well as Libyan and Tunisian style elements. Indeed, Khamissa’s minimalism speaks volumes – take her for example, captioned ‘Prayin’ for a healthier world’, which depicts a burka-clad woman in the gesture of prayer. Or her ‘Wrinkles are beautiful’ clip, which appeals to women of an older age bracket. Her work is all-stunning, all-inclusive. You could say she’s the catalyst behind henna’s comeback – and this lady’s artistic talent seems to know no bounds.
Strong African role models
Khamissa certainly views henna as a tool for a kind of beauty that conveys powerful, thought-provoking messages – much like a tattoo. And her conviction is shared by global style icons of the calibre of Beyoncé. The Guardian even dubbed the singing sensation a ‘modern fertility goddess’ after Mrs. Knowles-Carter posed in traditional African accoutrements while showing off an elaborate henna tattoo . Stunning, stylish, successful.
As an expat herself, Khamissa is convinced that henna can help people living abroad reconnect with their roots: ‘I’m very detached from my culture – my parents were brought up in South Africa, I was brought up in Canada and Dubai. But henna is one thing that I find connects so many different cultures together,’ she says. ‘It’s like an accessory […] no single culture owns henna.’
Dr. Azra’s workshops
Abstract designs are popular in the Middle East while bold, geometric shapes take precedence in North Africa. Nevertheless, UAE-based henna designer Amreen Wahid says that traditional patterns have evolved into accessories – drawings worn to match women’s clothing and jewellery. The henna colour palette has also been expanded, with Wahid reaching for gold and white dyes in addition to the age-old plant-based hues. Women also have the chance to attend Khamissa’s henna-themed workshops, which she runs across the UAE. Such as her techniques session at Abu Dhabi’s Warehouse421. Anyone unable to attend can also purchase her signature-recipe henna cones online, as well as her stylish handbags fit for any Middle Eastern or African style queen.
It would seem, therefore, that this henna starlet is on track for even greater success. Khamissa has even spawned her own following, comprising women who want to modernize the natural paste, aka #thehennaarchive, the artist’s very own hashtag. And since the current pandemic is restricting international travel, purchasing Khamissa’s starter kit might just be the way to go while we’re all still quarantining.
Have you delved into henna during your lockdown? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this evolving beauty trend: is it here to stay or will the traditionalists win out in the end? Send us any modern designs you have your eye on and tell us why they’re important for you as a strong, beautiful African woman.
Sources:
https://www.milleworld.com/meet-the-artist-giving-henna-a-contemporary-makeover/
https://www.milleworld.com/modernist-henna-designs/
