Celebrity hair artist Susan “Susy” Oludele has unveiled a braided creation that pushes the boundaries of hairstyling and positions hair firmly within the realm of sculptural art. The Nigerian-American stylist, best known for creating Beyoncé’s now-iconic braids in the visual album Lemonade, debuted the new look on an albino model in a project that blends fashion, architecture, and cultural storytelling.

According to BellaNaija, the piece is not a conventional hairstyle but a carefully constructed form built entirely from braided hair. Using blonde extensions, Oludele created a towering, geometric crown composed of stacked, cube-like shapes that rise upward in a gravity-defying structure. The result is a braided sculpture that sits atop the head like a ceremonial headdress, challenging long-held ideas about what African braiding can be.

A New Interpretation of Braids as Structure

Unlike traditional box braids, which prioritize movement and length, this design emphasizes form and balance. Each braid appears deliberately placed, functioning as part of a larger architectural system rather than an individual strand. The overall silhouette evokes a modernist sculpture, with sharp angles and clean lines that transform hair into a three-dimensional object.

According to BellaNaija, Oludele’s intention was not simply to create a striking visual moment, but to explore how Black hair can exist beyond beauty trends and into conceptual art spaces. The braids are not styled loosely or decorated for softness. Instead, they are engineered, stacked, and shaped to hold their form, reinforcing the idea that braiding is both technical skill and artistic discipline.

Industry observers note that this approach reflects a growing movement among Black creatives who are reclaiming traditional practices and reintroducing them through contemporary lenses. Oludele’s work stands out within that movement for its scale and precision.

Styling Choices That Let the Hair Lead

To ensure the focus remains firmly on the hair, the rest of the styling was intentionally restrained. The model’s makeup is minimal, anchored by a matte red lip that provides a bold contrast against her skin tone. The choice adds visual intensity without competing with the hair structure itself.

Accessories were selected with equal care. Chunky gold rectangular earrings and a heavy link chain introduce an element of luxury, grounding the futuristic hairstyle in classic adornment. According to BellaNaija, the balance between simplicity and statement was deliberate, allowing the braids to remain the undisputed centerpiece.

The decision to feature an albino model also adds a layer of meaning to the project. The contrast between the blonde braids and the model’s complexion reinforces the sculptural quality of the piece while continuing Oludele’s ongoing exploration of beauty, difference, and representation.

A Career Rooted in Resilience and Experimentation

Oludele’s ability to create such ambitious work is grounded in a long personal and professional journey. Born in the Bronx to Nigerian parents, she began braiding at the age of nine. According to previous interviews cited by BellaNaija, she taught herself after her mother, exhausted from work, told her she would have to start doing her own hair.

That early challenge sparked years of experimentation. Oludele later described her learning process as attending “YouTube University,” studying techniques online and refining her skills through constant practice. Her persistence eventually led to the launch of her own brand, Hair by Susy, with salons in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

Her rise, however, was not linear. According to BellaNaija, Oludele has spoken openly about periods of homelessness and working at McDonald’s before her breakthrough in the fashion and entertainment industries. That history informs her work today, particularly her emphasis on ownership, creative freedom, and cultural pride.

From Celebrity Clients to Cultural Influence

Oludele’s client list includes some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. Beyond Beyoncé, she has worked with Solange, Zoë Kravitz, and Megan Thee Stallion, among others. Her work often blends traditional African-inspired techniques with contemporary fashion aesthetics, making it highly visible on red carpets, album covers, and editorial shoots.

What distinguishes this latest project, however, is its departure from celebrity styling into pure artistic expression. Rather than serving a commercial campaign or performance look, the braided crown exists primarily as a statement piece.

According to BellaNaija, this aligns with Oludele’s broader creative output, including her “Albino Royalty” poster series. That body of work celebrates albinism through stylized portraits that merge fashion, symbolism, and fine art, echoing the themes present in the new hair sculpture.

Why This Moment Matters

The timing of Oludele’s latest creation is significant. As conversations around Black hair discrimination, cultural appropriation, and creative ownership continue globally, her work offers a reframing of braiding as high art rather than trend or novelty.

By presenting braids as architectural and conceptual, Oludele challenges industries that have historically marginalized Black hairstyling while simultaneously borrowing from it. Her work asserts that African braiding techniques are not just cultural artifacts, but evolving art forms capable of innovation at the highest levels.

Fashion analysts note that such pieces often influence runway styling, editorial photography, and even museum exhibitions. Hair sculptures, once considered niche, are increasingly entering mainstream visual culture, and Oludele’s reputation positions her at the forefront of that shift.

Observers will be watching to see whether this braided crown leads to gallery exhibitions, fashion collaborations, or further sculptural experiments. Given Oludele’s trajectory, it would not be surprising to see similar works displayed in curated art spaces rather than limited to digital platforms.

There is also growing interest in how hair artists like Oludele document and monetize conceptual work beyond social media. Her existing poster series suggests a model where hair art lives on as collectible visual material.

Visual and Editorial Suggestions

High-resolution close-up images showing the geometric construction of the braids

A behind-the-scenes photo series documenting the braiding and building process

A visual timeline of Oludele’s career from early work to recent sculptural designs

A comparison layout highlighting traditional box braids versus sculptural braiding

Susan “Susy” Oludele’s latest braided crown is more than an eye-catching hairstyle. It is a statement about skill, history, and the limitless potential of Black hair artistry. By transforming braids into a sculptural form, she continues to expand how hair is perceived, valued, and remembered.

From a nine-year-old learning to braid out of necessity to a global authority redefining the craft, Oludele’s journey is woven into every strand of her work. This latest creation does not just raise the bar for braiding. It redraws the line between beauty and art entirely.