A sign of who I am, right here on my hands': meet the artists behind the new-school henna boom

"The night before Eid, plastic chairs line the pavements of busy British high streets from London to Bradford. Women sit elbow-to-elbow beneath shopfronts, hands outstretched as artists swirl cones of henna into intricate curls. For 5, you can walk away with both palms blooming. Once confined to weddings and living rooms, this centuries-old ritual has spilled out into public spaces and today, it's being reimagined entirely."

"In recent years, henna has travelled from family homes to the red carpet from actor Michaela Coel's Sudanese motifs at the Toronto film festival to Katseye singer Lara Raj's henna decor at the 2025 Video Music awards. Younger generations are using it as art, political expression and cultural affirmation. Online, the appetite is increasing UK searches for henna reportedly rose by nearly 5,000% last year;"

"I remember sitting in salons in Birmingham when I was a teenager, my hands adorned with fresh henna that my mother insisted would make me look presentable for special occasions, weddings or Eid. At the park, strangers asked if my little brother had scribbled on me. After painting my nails with henna once, a classmate asked if I had frostbite. For years after, I hesitated to wear it, self-conscious it would draw unwanted attention."

Henna has moved from family homes and private ceremonies onto British high streets, red carpets and social media, becoming visible public practice. High-street artists offer quick designs before Eid, and celebrities have showcased henna at major events. Younger generations use henna as art, political expression and cultural affirmation. Online interest surged, with UK searches reportedly rising nearly 5,000% and creators sharing faux freckles and short design tutorials. Many people experienced stigma and hesitation after being mistaken for scribbles or frostbite, but a stronger sense of pride has driven more frequent use. The London collective HuqThat redefines henna to counter cultural erasure and appropriation.

Read at www.theguardian.com