Lupita Nyong'o Wore a Crown Made of Cowry Shells
It's more elegant than surfer chic.
Since deciding to go shave off her hair in May, Lupita Nyong'o has been keeping things interesting on top of her head, debuting multiple full-crown henna looks and some excellent hats. Listen: It's not like the already perfect actress needs to do anything extra. But, it sure is fun. And, on Saturday, October 21, she took her accessorizing to the next level. The newly single Oscar winner stepped out in Los Angeles for the GO Campaign Annual GO Gala with an intricate, cowry-shell covered headpiece. The actress paired the ivory topper with a cream-colored gown, diamond studs, and glossy, brick-red lips.
Species of cowry can be found worldwide, with the shells meaning different things to different cultures. Traditionally used as currency, cowry shells can symbolize wealth, womanhood, and good luck. While we haven't found the artist behind the piece yet (stay tuned!), they deserve a major, major round of applause. It appears the artisan wove the small shells into a mesh cap with thick silver and gold thread. They stopped right above the 40-year-old's ears and elegantly lined eyes, creating a bowl-cut effect.
Prior to becoming a bald beauty, Nyong'o wore her hair in sisterlocks. In mid-April, she shared a video of herself cutting them. Less than a month later, she declared she'd decided to shave it all off.
A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o
A photo posted by lupitanyongo
"Happy without hair!" she wrote, joking that the new look was part of her application for the all-female warrior group Dora Milaje from the Black Panther universe. "With eyes and bones like yours of course," commented actress Indira Varma.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
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Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.