In the heart of the bustling fashion industry, models often have stories as compelling as the looks they present on the runway. Nya Coutβre, a striking model from New York City, recently graced our barber shop with her presence, bringing with her a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and a deep love for her natural hair. Her visit not only transformed her look but also underscored the importance of embracing oneβs natural beauty.Β
Nya's journey began in the Bronx, where she grew up struggling to embrace her natural hair and hoping to loosen her curls with a relaxer. Her mother, however, insisted she wait until she turned ten before making such a decision. By the time she reached that milestone, Nya had grown to love her natural curls and decided against chemically straightening her hair. At 16, she took a bold step and cut her hair short, a decision that brought her immense freedom and a newfound appreciation for her natural texture.
Starting her modeling career in 2022 at Miami Swim Week, Nya quickly made a name for herself. Now signed with EMG Models, she has a diverse portfolio that includes print, commercial, and runway modeling. Despite the chaos of runway seasons, where she sometimes has five castings a day, she thrives on the excitement and unpredictability of the industry.
Nya's hair journey has not been without its challenges. As a teenager, she dabbled in background acting, where stylists often struggled to manage her natural hair, sometimes causing damage due to their inexperience. This struggle continued into her modeling career, highlighting a significant issue in the industry: the lack of knowledge and proper products for styling curly and coily hair.Β
"Natural hair deserves love. Especially in 2024. Why aren't people learning how to do curly hair like they do other hair? Why is type 4 hair still so taboo?" she questioned.
When Nya walked into our barber shop, she was "cheating" on her regular barber in the Bronx, who was unavailable that day. Her previous experiences with barbers ranged from a rough stylist who pulled and slapped her head around (yet delivered immaculate results) to a miscommunication in Mexico that left her nearly bald. Despite these experiences, Nya maintains a positive outlook, embracing each transformation with grace and confidence.
For her haircut at our shop, we used a 5 and 3 guard on the clippers to create a dark blend, enhancing her natural curl pattern and complementing her face shape. Nya appreciates the simplicity and ease of short hair, allowing her to "just get up and go" without the hassle of long hair. She loves how it reveals her true self.Β
"It makes me appreciate my natural hair more. Iβm not attaching that βugh itβs so much workβ to it. Now itβs just like Iβm washing it, Iβm taking care of it, and then Iβm seeing it and Iβm like, βAh, this is beautiful, I love my curl pattern.β"
Nyaβs story is not just about hair; itβs about self-discovery and challenging industry norms. Her biggest inspirations include the iconic model Yasmine Gory and her own mother, as well as musical legends Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston. These influences shape her unique style and her approach to both modeling and life.
At our barber shop, we pride ourselves on understanding and catering to all hair types. We offer a range of products designed to enhance natural beauty, such as our βBig Mousseβ for volume and conditioning and our βCurl Masterβ for smoothing and defining curls. Nyaβs appreciation for these products reinforces our commitment to inclusivity and excellence in hair care.
If Nya Coutβre's story resonates with you, we invite you to experience the transformative power of a great haircut at our barber shop. Book an appointment today and discover a world where your natural beauty is celebrated and enhanced. While you're here, explore our range of products tailored to meet the needs of all hair types. Join us in embracing and celebrating the beauty of natural hairβyour perfect look is just a haircut away.