Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected connections, and that's exactly how Hair Not Necessary began.
In October 2026, Dionne Lewis-Reid and Thanyia Moore met through the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), at its prestigious Power of One Black Tie Gala. Dionne was part of DJT, the event management company organising the occasion, while Thanyia had generously offered her talents as a red carpet host, interviewing celebrities and guests as they arrived for the evening.
What neither woman anticipated was that this meeting would lead to the beginning of something rather special.
It didn't take long for Dionne and Thanyia to realise they had quite a bit in common. Both bald, both confident in their individuality, both passionate about empowering women, and both with strong personalities and a healthy sense of humour. They quickly recognised that they were kindred spirits.
And then there was Sharron Wallace.
Dionne's friend and renowned photographer, Sharron, also recognised the similarities between the two women. She helped reinforce what was becoming increasingly obvious: there was an opportunity here to create something exciting.
The conversation developed around a simple idea. Why wasn't there a vibrant, visible UK community bringing together women who are bald, buzzed or closely cropped, whether by choice or circumstance?
They discussed BaldieCon, the US-based celebration and community for bald women, and agreed that the UK needed something with a similar spirit, but with its own personality, humour, culture and identity.
And just like that, Hair Not Necessary was born.
More Than Just a Conversation About Hair
What began as a meeting at a charity gala has developed into a shared vision for a podcast and community celebrating women with little or no hair.
Dionne brings her experience as a businesswoman, coach, trainer, facilitator and event organiser, with a longstanding passion for confidence, inclusion and personal empowerment.
Thanyia brings her talents as a comedian, presenter, writer and performer, alongside her infectious personality, humour and ability to make people laugh while exploring subjects that matter.
Together, they want to create a space where women can be themselves, have honest conversations, laugh about life's absurdities, challenge stereotypes and celebrate their individuality.
And importantly, they want it to be fun!
Because being bald doesn't have to be a serious conversation all the time. Sometimes it's about fabulous earrings, great make-up, dating experiences, unsolicited opinions, fashion choices and those extraordinary things people think it's perfectly acceptable to say to a woman without hair.
From a Podcast to a Community
Launching in January 2027, the Hair Not Necessary Podcast will see Dionne and Thanyia discussing everything from beauty, confidence, identity and relationships to alopecia, cancer-related hair loss, menopause, cultural expectations and life in general.
There will be interesting guests, honest opinions, plenty of laughter and conversations that might challenge the way we think about women and their hair.
But the ambition doesn't stop at the podcast.
Throughout 2027, Hair Not Necessary plans to bring women together through social gatherings, lunches, summer socials and live conversations, culminating in a glamorous Christmas Gala in December.
The aim is to create genuine friendships, opportunities to connect and a community where women can celebrate who they are without feeling they need to explain their appearance.
Whether you've chosen to shave your head, have lost your hair through medical treatment or other circumstances, or simply love rocking a close crop, Hair Not Necessary is for you.
And to Think It All Started at a Gala!
There's something particularly fitting about the fact that Dionne and Thanyia met through an event supporting the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, an organisation whose work is connected to people affected by serious health conditions, including those who may experience treatment-related hair loss.
What started with two women recognising something familiar in each other, and a photographer friend encouraging the connection, has become a project with a much bigger ambition.
Dionne and Thanyia are looking forward to building a community that is welcoming, entertaining, inclusive and unapologetically individual.
And who knows where it might lead?
One thing is certain. There's plenty to talk about, plenty to celebrate and absolutely no requirement to have hair to join in.
HAIR NOT NECESSARY
BALD. BUZZED. BOLD.
The Podcast and Community with Dionne and Thanyia.
Launching January 2027. Join us from the beginning!
