Imagine having the world’s biggest afro and no one being able to beat your record for 15 whole years – how iconic is that?! 😎
That’s why Aevin Dugas from Louisiana, USA, has been named a GWR ICON in the newest Guinness World Records book, which is out now.
Since 2010, she’s been the woman with the biggest afro in the world – and she wears it with pride!
Were you even born in 2010? 😂
The founder of World Afro Day (the worldwide celebration of Afro hair that happens every year on 15 September), Michelle De Leon, told us:
“We love that Aevin Dugas is becoming a GWR ICON on World Afro Day because she is so passionate about Afro hair […].
“A win for her is a win for everyone that wants our hair in its natural state to be celebrated.”
Do you have an Afro? 🤩
Aevin’s journey to Guinness World Records began with help from her little sister, Sarah, when she shared some photos of Aevin online, and a friend joked that her afro looked record-breaking!
Soon, we noticed the buzz and reached out to Aevin ourselves.
And the rest… is history. 💪🏾
She first officially earned the record title in October 2010, when measurements were taken at a salon in New Orleans: 18.5 cm (7.3 in) high, 19.6 cm (7.7 in) wide and 132.1 cm (4 ft 4 in) in circumference.
It was official, and Aevin couldn’t have been happier!
And you know what made the record extra special for her?
The fact that it gave her all the confidence she lacked as a kid…
When she was younger, she didn’t let her hair grow naturally but instead went through tough and sometimes harmful routines to keep it straight.
But, when she was about 25, she changed her mind about all of it: “I woke up one morning questioning why I had to straighten my hair permanently. Why the chemicals, why is this necessary? Why does my texture have to be hidden?”
She continued: “I didn’t decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural.”
Let your true self shine through, and know the right people will love you exactly as you are. ❤️
Over the years as part of the Guinness World Records family, Aevin has loved meeting other record holders whose amazing looks helped them make history too.
Check her out with Kazuhiro Watanabe from Japan who, in 2014, used to be the owner of the world’s tallest Mohican with his 123-cm (4-ft) spiky hairstyle.
Here is Aevin’s advice to you:
“I want to inspire others first by telling people, go after what you want. […] The GWR title was my first time going after something I truly wanted. I almost didn’t do it because I got nervous and was afraid of what people might say. Once I pushed that fear aside, […] I went for it.
“[…] I had a message, especially for little Black girls. I wanted them to know how naturally beautiful they were with all their natural features.”
We couldn’t agree more! 😍
Want hair as awesome as Aevin’s? Here’s her secret:
“My biggest tip used to be patience; my new tip is ‘leave your hair alone’. Of course, things like hot oil treatment, shampoo, conditioner etc are important, but try to find a style where you don’t touch, detangle or manipulate your hair daily.
“My mama used to tell me all the time ‘Keep ya hands out ya head’, and it turns out she and my grandma were right!”
Congratulations Aevin, you are a true ICON! 🏆