This September, British Ghanaian hair and beauty icon Charlotte Mensah will mark 40 years in the industry with Community Matters, a major mixed media exhibition celebrating the career, creativity, and community that have shaped her journey. Born in Ghana and raised in North West London, Mensah has built an international reputation that extends far beyond the salon, becoming an influential voice in Black hair, beauty, and entrepreneurship.
Curated by Madeleine Haddon, Senior Curator at V&A East, the exhibition brings together photography, film, archival materials, personal artifacts, sound, and installation. At its heart is an exploration of the salon as more than a place for styling but as a space where identity is expressed, conversations unfold, relationships are formed, and culture is shared. The exhibition will also feature a program of talks, including “Beauty, Business & Belonging” on Wednesday, 9 September at 6:30pm, followed by “The Modern Day Salon: A Cultural Institution” on Thursday, 10 September at 6:30pm.
With Community Matters, Mensah’s four decade journey becomes part of a wider conversation about hair, heritage, creativity, entrepreneurship, and community. The exhibition celebrates not only an influential career but also the cultural impact of Black hair and the role salons continue to play in shaping identity and bringing communities together.
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