This year's festival commemorates the 140th anniversary of the birth of Antoni "Antoine" Cierplikowski, a star stylist from the early 20th century renowned for his revolutionary "bob cut" hairstyle that launched his career as the world's first celebrity hairdresser from this very town.
The Open Hair Festival celebrates Cierplikowski's legacy and his roots in Sieradz, ensuring the town remains synonymous with his revolutionary impact on hairstyling and fashion.
The festival, established in 2009, honors Cierplikowski, who cut the hair of icons such as Marlene Dietrich, Josephine Baker, Sarah Bernhardt and Greta Garbo, as well as styling six crowned heads of state throughout his long career.
In his Paris salon, Antoine also designed costumes, hats and wigs for theatrical plays, cabarets and opera productions. Starting in 1938, he also worked in the United States, where he styled First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, among others.
Known for his flamboyant lifestyle, he was once noted for sleeping in a glass coffin and dyeing his greyhound blue.
This weekend's activities will reflect Cierplikowski's unique flair. A highlight will be the fashion runway on Rycerska Street, transforming into a showcase for young designers, with the main event by Jacob Buczyński, a promoter of zero-waste garment design since 2017.
A historical fashion show will also feature authentic and meticulously reproduced outfits from the 1930s to 1945.
Musical acts such as Kult, Kwiat Jabłoni and Ars Latrans Orchestra will grace the main stage, with local talents including rappers and Disney song performer Magda Wasylik.
A newly created mural by artist Pieksa at 5 Kościuszki Street and a photography exhibit opening on Friday at Wzgórze Zamkowe add a visual arts element to the festival.
For fans of live hairstyling, barbers from the western city of Poznań and stylists from Łódź, central Poland, will conduct sessions, continuing a tradition that's drawn crowds at previous festivals.
The festival also features a city game about Cierplikowski on Sunday, offering a fun and interactive way to explore Sieradz and its rich cultural heritage.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
