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Rooster Comb Maybe? Iraqi Revolution Invents New Hair Styles

Published December 30th, 2019 - 08:19 GMT

Elvis Presley may have been the advance guard, but young Iraqis own it -- protesters in Baghdad sport slick styles and rockabilly haircuts. This is a testament to their unyielding rebel spirit.

Exclusively male and in large part inspired by the fashionable cuts of football stars, the phenomenon is coursing through the Arab world.

In Tahrir Square, young people are daring -- it has become normal. Today, everything is possible. They do what they want.

The range of styles is wide, but it is Iraq's take on the Elvis cut that rises head and shoulders above the rest: A towering pompadour with undercut back and sides.

"Adopted by celebrities, students and hipsters," the pompadour -- named after a mistress of French King Louis XV -- will transform you into a "sexy and trendy man", according to one website.

But this style itself unfurls into a multitude of sub-styles in Iraq, from classic rockabilly to even the mohawk.

And amid the proliferation of looks, cuts are becoming ever more voluminous.

The hairstyles on display have roots in the 1990s, in the hairdressing salons and male beauty parlours of Sadr City.

Baroque haircuts, meanwhile, "really started around two years ago, again in Sadr city."

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Iraqi anti-government demonstrators sporting a pompadour hairstyle pose at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

Iraqi anti-government demonstrators sporting a pompadour hairstyle pose at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses in the southern city of Basra on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. Hussein FALEH / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses in the southern city of Basra on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. Hussein FALEH / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a mohawk hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a mohawk hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

Iraqi anti-government demonstrators sporting a pompadour hairstyle pose at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses in the southern city of Basra on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. Hussein FALEH / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a mohawk hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
Iraqi anti-government demonstrators sporting a pompadour hairstyle pose at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
Iraqi anti-government demonstrators sporting a pompadour hairstyle pose at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses in the southern city of Basra on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. Hussein FALEH / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator sporting a pompadour hairstyle poses in the southern city of Basra on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. Hussein FALEH / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a mohawk hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a mohawk hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP
An Iraqi anti-government protestor poses with a distinct hairstyle at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on December 23, 2019. Since the start of Iraq's anti-government protests on October 1, one thing strikes the eye perhaps above all else -- the unbridled hairstyles young men sport. High quiffs, tight fades and loads of attitude -- it is quite the male beauty pageant. SABAH ARAR / AFP

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