Not long ago, photos of “hair hats” went viral, showing up on numerous blogs and websites.
But I didn’t know till I read it on Fashion Hayley that the artist responsible for the hair hats, Nagi Noda, died on September 7 at age 35. The cause of death is said to be “surgical complications from injuries sustained in a traffic accident the previous year.” I find that explanation for her death at such a young age to be quite odd. Over here, it says, “Noda had experienced ongoing complications related to a bad car accident last year that resulted in chronic pain. The exact cause of death was not specified.” That site also quotes one of her reps as saying Noda died “in her Mark Ryden dress, Chanel boots, perfect make-up with Viktor & Rolf lace black eye lashes.” I suspect there’s more to this story.
Regardless of the cause of death, a moment of silence for the hair hat lady, please.
(By the way, Nagi Noda was an artist who worked in a variety of media, including video, and my understanding is that the hair was sculpture, never intended to be worn by regular folks. Here’s a story where she explains her work a bit.)
UPDATED TO ADD: Do a good deed today in memory of Nagi Noda and donate to the NieNie fund. Any amount is fine! Send me your receipt and I’ll put you on my list of donors.
miss cavendish says
Oh my–how awful! I posted on these unusual accessories a while ago. It’s so sad to see a young life cut short.
Songy says
that’s tragic… when I hear stories like that I tell myself.. stop bitching you idiot.
Carolina Lange says
How sad! She was so young!
CDP says
Very sad.
I have a friend who collects Victorian hair jewelry. It’s interesting to look at but I cannot bring myself to touch it. Shudder.
jennine says
i saw this too… and wanted to write a post about it but didn ‘t quite know how. lovley job wendy.
xx
j.
yoncto says
that’s so sad! at only 35 =[
Deirdre says
Wow. What a talent. What a loss.
Sharon Rose says
What a shame. A lovely tribute post.
enc says
Gosh, that’s awful. What a sad story.
Runaway Gallery says
sad.
emmapeelpants says
I had never heard of her or hair hats before now, but that is far too young to die and she was amazingly talented. RIP.
Emily says
how tragic! though i’d never be able to sport a look like this, i admire her creativity and originality.
WendyB says
Emily, I think these were considered exhibition pieces rather than anything meant to be worn.
Danielle says
whoa. those are great. i can’t believe i haven’t seen these until now.
Miss Janey says
How sad and odd.
Couture Carrie says
That is awful news, but it’s wonderful that her designs are still being appreciated. That hair hat reminds a bit of the Gaultier fall runway!
xoxox,
CC
lisa says
It’s always sad when a life is cut short unexpectedly like that.
myriam says
She was amazing: (
Jill Sherman says
OMG, that is horrible. She may have had an adhesion (which is common after trauma, surgery, etc.) that ruptured. She was such an amazing talent 🙁
layersofmeaning says
how sad! I had posted those pictures on my blog not long ago.
Dapper Kid says
That is so sad, she was a wonderful artist.
Annie says
Those were brilliant… How sad..
Kira Fashion says
how bad…
a kiss my friend
Ariella says
That’s so sad that she passed away, really 🙁 Her work is impressive.
The Clothes Horse says
That’s so sad, she was so young.
Skye says
What a sad story, and a sad loss to the creative world too. I think the media is often quite discreet about reporting that type of death for various reasons.
KiKi says
she was soo young it makes you relize how important it is to live your life to its fullest
Renaissance Woman says
That is a very sad story.
josephine says
oh, how sad. her work was beautiful, rip xox
Cammila says
She had such a unique perspective. It’s really rare for an artist to have such an uncompromisingly different vision and still have self awareness and humor. I’m so sad to think of all the amazing things she would have done in the years to come.
Miss Woo says
I’ve no idea, she looks so young in the photo too!
HANNAH-ZOË says
oh my, how sad! she was very talented and creative to have come up with such an innovative idea.
TheSundayBest says
Not that I’m an expert, but isn’t listing what someone was wearing when they died a little…gauche? Creativity Online-license I guess.
fashion herald says
how tragic, and terrible for her friends and family.
Shaz says
wow 35 is such a young age. It is such a shame! Its always the talented ones whos lives get cut short…
...love Maegan says
wow. Yesterday was the first I had seen these amazing creations. It sounds like her death was tragic not to mention too soon. I’m going to check out the other links. How sad. …but Mark Ryden dress? I was not aware he made dresses? Super curious now. Thanks!!!