Big hair day at Motown makeover

Visitors to the Assembly Rooms in Bath were transformed into 60s divas at a Motown makeover session today.

The trademark thick eyeliner, false eyelashes, and huge backcombed hairstyles that were popular more than 40 years agp were recreated on willing volunteers.

Both those who could remember the 60, along with those who had only seen the styles on television, queued to be transformed into a member of the Supremes.

The team from Bath hairstylists Artizan were using hairspray and grips to create the perfect 60s hairstyle.

Owner Phillip Thompson said: “The theme is big, bad and beautiful.

“It's fantastic to be able to put people’s hair up, so they look formal and dressy.

“We are creating 60s hairstyles with a modern twist.”

Make-up was provided by freelance make-up artist Lydia Parker, who wanted to bring some retro glamour to the event.

She said: “I am making it really retro, with dark smokey eyes and lots of eyeliner.

“I really enjoy doing this sort of make-up, as I get to be creative.

“It is also nice to work with the Artizan team, so that people can have both their hair and make-up done.

The makeovers were part of a programme of events to accompany an exhibition of dresses worn by the Motown group - The Story of The Supremes From the Mary Wilson Collection.

Visitors are transported back to a decade of glitz and glamour, where big styles were the craze, in the exhibition, which has another week to run at the Assembly Rooms.

For Karen Torres, of Oldfield Park, the event was a trip down memory lane.

She has been to the exhibition three times, and bought her two daughters, Maria, aged 13, and Itxaso, six, along to take part in the fun.

Karen said: “I love everything about the sixties, the clothes, make-up and music.

“I remember watching Top of the Pops every Thursday evening, and singing along to the songs.

“My girls love the music, I like introducing them to the songs on the sixties.”

Itxaso, who goes to St John's Catholic Primary School, was looking forward to telling all her friends.

She said: “I really like my hair, it's pretty.

“The day has been really fun.”

Maria, a pupil at St Gregory’s Catholic College, said she felt like a character out of her favourite musical Hairspray.

She said: “My hair is amazing, different to how it usually is.

“It looks a bit like the girls in Hairspray, which I love.”

The exhibition also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, with all the costumes from Mary Wilson’s personal collection.

It shows the changing image of the group, from the first gowns they bought when they were known as the Primettes, to the glamorous Hollywood designs worn at the height of their fame.

The collection will be on display at The Assembly Rooms until August 31, from 10.30am until 5pm.

For more information visit www.fashionmuseum.co.uk.