World Afro Day 2026: These incredible afros made history – could yours be next?
Today marks World Afro Day, a global day dedicated to celebrating natural afro hair and the cultures associated with it.
2026 marks the 10th anniversary of World Afro Day, and to celebrate there is a street takeover taking place at Coal Drops Yard, London, UK, from 15-17 September.
The Fro Festival will be jam-packed with music, food stalls, catwalks, and discussions about hair texture, running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
To celebrate all things kinked, coiled and curled, we’re looking back at some of the incredible afros that have made their mark on the record books, and we’ll also reveal which titles you could get your hands on!
GWR ICON Aevin Dugas
Meet the women with legendary locks who battled for the crown
The Guinness World Records title for largest afro on a living person (female) is an iconic one that has changed hands (or heads) many times over the years.
For nearly 15 years, the title was held by GWR ICON Aevin Dugas (USA) who first broke the record in 2010. She then went on to reclaim the title in 2021, and again in 2023 when her natural afro measured 25 cm (9.84 in) high and an incredible 165 cm (5 ft 4.9 in) in circumference.
Aevin advocates for cultural pride and educates the beauty community on her Instagram page about hair routines and embracing your identity.
In 2020, the title was briefly snatched by New Yorker Simone Williams (USA). Simone began her life wearing her natural afro, then once she reached her older school years, she began straightening it.
Simone Williams
After graduating from college, she decided to transition back to her natural hair, and embrace her cultural identity.
She said: “Aevin inspired me to make the attempt. At the time, I didn’t think my hair was anywhere close to hers, she was goals! But I was so happy to see that she was recognized and there was a chance for others to be recognized too.”
Aevin later took the record back, then on 23 October 2025, the crown was handed over to the new holder of the largest afro (female). When measured, Jessica Martinez’s (USA) afro was 29 cm (11.42 in) tall, 31 cm (12.2 in) wide, and 190 cm (6 ft 2.87 in) in circumference.
Jessica Martinez with GWR Adjudicator Michael Empric
It took three people to help measure Jessica’s 6 ft circumference of hair, and Aevin accompanied her to hand over the crown.
Let's hear it for the boys!
But what about the men in the afro-wearing community? Amir Manuel Menendez (USA) previously held two Guinness World Records titles for his hair: largest afro on a living person (male) and largest afro on a living teenager (male).
Amir Manuel Menendez
On 10 August 2022, Amir’s hair measured an impressive 19.67 cm (7.74 in) high and 24.83 cm (9.77 in) wide with a circumference of 226 cm (88 in).
He gave some inspiring words for those keen to attempt a similar title: “Go for it. If you get it, you get it. If you don’t, you don’t. What do you have to lose?”
Read about more people with record-breaking hair in our Human Body section.
Could you follow in the footsteps of these legends and become a Guiness World Records title holder?
If you think you have what it takes to claim the title for largest afro on a living teenager (male), your hair will need to be naturally afro-like, with a traditional spring-like texture and no chemical alterations. You’ll also need to be between 13 and 18 years old!
Think you meet the criteria but are a bit older than that? The largest afro on a living person (male) is also up for grabs!
But the record-breaking opportunities don’t stop there. Want to get the whole family involved?
Gather together and you could even attempt the record for largest aggregate afro circumference by a family. Again, it’ll be natural spirally afros for this one, and it can be a family of any size! Just get your relatives together, and the measurement will be taken with the average circumference of all the afros.
At GWR we love celebrating all kinds of different cultures and the things that make us unique! So, we’d love to see you attempt some of these, and who knows, you may even become a Guinness World Records title holder. Apply here!