Langara Open Student Scholar Prize 2020
Honourable Mention

Hairstyle Replication – Bust of a Flavian Woman
Gemma Biglowe
Class Submitted For: AHIS 1114 – Alena Buis
Open Education Statement:
In regard to this project, open-access education was an immensely valuable part of my learning process.
In recreating this piece, I used both traditional academic journals that I could access online, as well as a
less traditional resource: a youtube video. The video "Flavian-Trajanic Hairstyle: Orbis Comarum" by hair
archaeologist Janet Stephens provided me with a more intimate and hands-on approach to tackling this
recreation and was an immensely valuable learning tool. The fact that this video was so easily accessible
made completing this assignment feel more like a fun activity rather than work, while still being highly
educational. This non-traditional approach enhanced my enthusiasm, which in turn aided me immensely
in the retention of facts, which is something with which I generally struggle. The video created by
Stephens is a perfect example of open-access education, as Stephens is an Archaeologist by training but
creates these educational videos shares them on a free platform for all to access. Stephens is also active
in the comments section of her videos, further engaging with her audience and answering their
questions. The video created by Stephens was the most valuable resource that I used in the creation of
this project.

I

Hairstyle Replication: Bust of a Flavian Woman

Gemma Biglowe

AHIS 1114-001
Dr. Alena Buis
March, 2020

II

Figure 1

III

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Figure 2

IV
Artist’s Statement
This is a naturalistic depiction of the hairstyle on the Bust of a Flavian Woman, a bust of
a Roman woman with richly stylized curls. In Roman times, these lavish structured updos were
very fashionable. Roman women would either heat up metal rods to form their curls, or would
twist the hair up into cloth strips in the evening while the hair was wet, releasing the curls in the
morning. The hair near the crown of the head was often cut shorter than in the back as to easily
maintain this style on a daily basis. The back of the hairstyle is created by twisting up braided
hair into a bun. Often extensions made of horse hair were used to thicken the hair to help create
these elaborate updos. This hairstyle was recreated using contemporary techniques and products,
and the photos are rendered in black and white to make the subject appear more statuesque. The
process provided me with valuable insight into a part of the daily routine for a woman living in
Ancient Rome.

V
Bibliography
Bartman, E. (2001). Hair and the Artifice of Roman Female Adornment. American Journal
of Archaeology, 105(1), 1. https://doi-org.ezproxy.langara.ca/10.2307/507324
Haas, N., Toppe, F., & Henz, B. M. (2005). Hairstyles in the arts of Greek and Roman
antiquity. The Journal Of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings, 10(3),
298–

300.

Stephens, J. (2013). Flavian-Trajanic Hairstyle: Orbis Comarum. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs9fLwm-9-k
Varner, R.E. (2010). Reconfiguring Roman Portraits: Theories and Practices. Memoirs of the
American Academy in Rome, 55, 45.