The Melba Spine
(Named after Melba Tolliver – the African-American journalist who, in 1971, refused to cover her Afro with a wig or scarf on national TV, becoming a quiet pioneer for Black hair visibility and equality)
The brass spine doesn’t divide—it distinguishes. Hammered, ridged, brushed—each texture speaks its own truth. Like Melba, it stands tall, refusing to hide what’s natural, beautiful, and proud.
Function: A sculptural shelving unit on the left side of the second floor, displaying hair products organised by texture. Its central spine features three brass finishes: hammered for curls, ridged for waves, and brushed for straight hair. More than a display, it’s a statement— celebrating hair as identity, choice, and strength.
