Hamdi Osman is the wig creator paying homage to iconic horror movies | Dazed

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If you were to step into the Louvre to glimpse Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” last month, you might have thought you were seeing double. While one version of the famous portrait stood as still and inscrutable as the day it was painted, the other rippled and waved as its canvas moved through the gallery.

Also on a trip to see the famously moody piece was Dallas-based wig artist Hamdi Osman, who had sketched her own version of the artwork on the back of her head, resulting in turning heads, crowds forming, and Osman going semi-viral. “The best thing that happened was when my tour guide told me that more people were taking photos of my hair than the art on the walls!“ says Osman.

Although Osman’s Louvre visit remains the only time she has been in the presence of the original inspiration while wearing the tribute (so far), she has become known for wearing her influences on her wig. Inspired by cult horror movies, classic artworks and everything else that interests her, Osman carefully illustrates already familiar designs from the realms of counter-culture onto the back of an array of faux hair styles, some of which are custom dyed to match. 

There’s a gorey drawing of House of Wax, the logo of The Shining on the reverse of a mottled yellow wig, and a full head rendition of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”. It’s like the beauty version of wearing a band tee, visually aligning herself with a homage to her hair-raising faves. In a bid to surface her wonderful wig work to the wider internet, we caught up with the 24-year-old to discover more about how she makes these masterpieces, as well as the recipe for making a hit post on X as the platform disintegrates.

Hi Hamdi, how did you get into illustrating wigs and what was the first one you made? 

Hamdi Osman: I’ve been wearing different coloured wigs for years. I feel like I’ve tried every colour out there. That’s when I started to think about expanding my hairstyles by actually illustrating on wigs. The first one I made had a few roses I painted on a blonde piece of hair that I attached under a black wig. I loved how it turned out, and ever since then, the ideas haven’t stopped flowing. 

What’s the process for creating the designs, are they printed or hand drawn, did you use dye or make-up? Are they stencilled? Tell us everything!

Hamdi Osman: Depending on the design, I’ll either use stencil or hand paint. More detailed pieces, like my ‘Scream’ painting by Edvard Munch or ‘The Starry Night’ by van Gogh, are fully hand-painted. Each took around three hours. I use hair dye on human hair wigs, but when working with synthetic wigs I use acrylic paint because the design will last. I use stencil mainly for text or outlining a character and then I go back in with paint for the details.

A lot of the designs are based on 2000s slashers and other horror films, are you a big fan of the genre?

Hamdi Osman: I’m a huge horror fan, it’s my favourite genre ever, which is why 90 per cent of my hairstyles are based on horror movies, TV shows and even video games. The first horror movie I ever watched was Child’s Play and I used to watch a lot of The Walking Dead in middle school. That’s really when my love for horror started to grow.

Do you have Letterboxd? Which horror films would be in your top four? 

Hamdi Osman: Yes, I do! I think my top four would be Coraline, Final Destination 5, The Invisible Man and The Conjuring. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rewatched those movies, great minds were at work in those studios. I’ve actually gotten to see three out of four in theatres, and I’m very excited to see the new Final Destination movie Bloodlines.

If you were a character in a horror film, how long do you think you’d last and how would you style your hair? 

Hamdi Osman: I think I’d be the type of character that lasts until the third act and makes fun of the ghost possessing everyone, only to get caught by it at the end. I would most definitely be wearing dark blue hair, half up, half down, with two spiky ponytails. 

I’ve noticed you’re way more active on X than other platforms. Do you find it easier to reach audiences on there compared to Instagram? 

Hamdi Osman: I’ve had my X since 2020 and over time, I’ve built a large supportive following. I do find it easier than Instagram, I’ve noticed that the X algorithm just naturally attracts people that also share your interests: all you have to do is show up and be yourself. I’ve built a lot of great friendships through mutual interests, which has made the platform really fun for me to use.

You’ve also recently gone semi-viral for your recreation of the Mona Lisa on the back of your head, with people reacting IRL. What’s the best in-person reaction you’ve received? 

Hamdi Osman: When I went to the Louvre with my Mona Lisa hair, I had no idea the reaction would be so big. From the moment I walked in, people actually started forming crowds, asking me for pictures and giving me the kindest compliments. The best thing that happened was when my tour guide told me that more people were taking photos of my hair than the art on the walls.

A lot of your designs have done numbers on X, do you have an instinct for what is likely to go viral?

Hamdi Osman: I actually never know the reaction I will get from people because I pick my hairstyles based on anything I genuinely like – movies, TV shows, even nature, so it’s always completely random. I’m very grateful to continuously have support around me that just gets it!

Do you think it’s important for people to be more experimental with their hair? 

Hamdi Osman: I think people should feel more free to experiment with their hair and not overthink so much about how other people would view it. Hair is such a fun and expressive form of identity when you have all the right ideas. You have the free will to become and create anything you’d like.

Do you have any tips for people wanting to be more daring with their look?

Hamdi Osman: Starting off small really helped. I began with a couple of roses on my hair that eventually led me to walking out of the house with a whole Tame Impala album painting. Simply think about your favourite album, that one really beautiful forest you hiked through, or even a newly discovered ocean animal. Let that be your inspiration when you’re creating your next hairstyle.

What do you get up to when you aren’t creating legendary wig designs? 

Hamdi Osman: When I’m not doing hair, I’m usually travelling the world. Earlier this year, I hiked a glacier in Iceland called Sólheimajökull and I’ve gone caving in Belize to see ancient Mayan artifacts. I’ve been thinking about seeing the Great Barrier Reef so I have to make that trip this year. I really do love to witness all the ways humans have created meaning and survival across time, and experiencing the natural beauty that still exists in this world. 

What designs will you be making next?

Hamdi Osman: My next hairstyles that I have lined up are Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Little Dark Age by MGMT, and The Matrix. I’m so excited to see how these come out, I’ve been planning on doing these for a while now!