Ecana Women - No Lye, Just Facts


ECANA is an American organization of doctors and survivors of endometrial cancer, a disease whose confirmed cases have been rising dramatically among Black women. The cause: excessive use of substances for relaxing curly hair, mainly in women who tend to use this chemical from a very young age.

Inspired by vintage posters from salons specializing in afro hair and with the aim of inspiring the black community, Area23 partnered with ECANA to create an illustrated campaign promoting achievable hairstyles without the use of relaxers, such as box braids, waves and even the classic afro. The illustrations were produced by brazilian artists Marmota vs. Milky, Marcelo Martins, and Rogério Puhl.

Commissioned by

Area23 / NY