These Brilliant Photos Celebrate Black British Girlhood In The 90s
Though the nostalgia train has been well ridden these last few years, there’s no arguing with the impact of the ’90s. It was the decade that gave us era-defining (though devastatingly short-lived) girl groups like Mis-Teeq and Cleopatra. We had Desmond’s and The Real McCoy or could tune in to Sister, Sister and Kenan & Kel in the States. We wore our hair in box braids and finger waves, dressed in colour-blocked clothes accessorised with plastic bead necklaces, butterfly clips and rogue sparkly things. Smirking at the playful naivety of those days? Me too.
Many black British women will look back fondly on the ’90s. It’s the period of time I can’t help but think of when someone mentions ‘black girl magic’ or ‘carefree black girls’, even in their more modern definitions. There was an energy and joyfulness that blossomed as we came of age surrounded by a (slowly) growing social celebration of our cultural heritage. There was an innocence and freedom that, yes, my still nostalgic heart longs for now as a black British twentysomething.
Though our histories have been minimally documented, with black British women largely erased from the archives altogether, buried in the nooks and crannies of the internet are photos that harness the energy I remember. Click through to cast your mind back to the other side of the millennium. Here are some brilliant photos that capture the spirit of black British girlhood in the ’90s — hot combs, rollerblades and a lot of dancing in the street.
A young girl, unimpressed and having her makeup done.
1994
Teenagers enjoying rollerblading, aka one of the most underrated pastimes of the ’90s.
1995
The stress and struggle of posing for a group photo was nonexistent in these days. And we were all the better for it.
1990
Women and a little girl on their way to join Notting Hill Carnival. The 101 Dalmations balloon was clearly a big mood.
1998
Women dancing in the streets, wearing matching Destiny’s Child “Survivor”-style camouflage.
1999
Inside a London hair salon working styles that wouldn’t look out of place right now.
1995
On the dance floor at an underage club. Spot the double denim and butterfly hair clips.
1999
Distinctive baseball hat tilts on two teenage girls at a live hip-hop event.
1996
Remember the days when it was normal to wear a whistle around your neck for the aesthetics? These girls did it best.
1996
Space cleared for shapes to be thrown on a dance floor at The Empire, London.
1995
A clip upside the head or a mid-dance hair fix. Both work.
1995
Familiar scenes of the dutty wine and screams.
1998
Following the leader through crowds at Notting Hill Carnival.
1995
Little girls dancing in the street and having the best time (for the most part).
1995
The official standard for coordinated dressing was set right here.
Two big beautiful afros are always better than one.
Buns, books and boys. If that’s not the name of a black British memoir yet, it should be.
This article is part of Refinery29’s Unbothered UK series which celebrates black voices, black art and black women in the UK. Help us shape what you see on Unbothered UK by taking our survey. We want to know what’s important to you.
Originally published at https://www.refinery29.com.
