New York City Woman Breaks Guinness World Record For Largest Afro

Simone Williams’ voluminous locks have broken an impressive world record. 

The Brooklyn fashion designer has broken the Guinness World Record for largest women’s afro with hair that is 4’ 10’’ in circumference. 

According to a release, Williams said she attempted the feat because she gets a lot of comments about the size of her "voluminous natural afro." She was also inspired by the previous record holder Aevin Dugas, who held the accolade for eight years. 

"She inspired me to make the attempt. I googled 'world's largest afro,' and when she came up, I was in awe," Williams told Guinness. “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."

Williams wore her hair straight starting in middle school, but started to transition to wearing it naturally at around age 23. She was aiming to save money usually spent at salons and put it towards moving into her first apartment. With much patience and practice, she said she has since perfected her routine for maintaining her impressive ample tresses. 

"When my hair is fully styled and big and voluminous I get a lot of stares, a lot of comments, lots of compliments – I want to think that everything is positive, but there are some people who stare like they have no idea what’s going on or what they’re looking at,” she explained.

However, Williams said that she always feels “pride” while rocking her hair.

“Rocking a natural ‘fro is something that really [symbolizes] your pride in being Black,” she said in the release.” And I feel like whenever I wear my hair very big and beautiful, I just feel that pride within me."