Holding a Guinness World Record for 15 years is remarkable but when the record is literally part of you, it’s even more special.
Aevin Dugas, from Louisiana, USA, has worn the title of world’s largest afro almost continuously since 2010. In recognition of her long-standing achievement and her advocacy for natural hair, she’s now been named a Guinness World Records (GWR) ICON, the organization’s highest accolade. The announcement came on World Afro Day (15 September), a global celebration of Afro hair and a call to end hair discrimination.
Journey to the Record
Encouraged by her younger sister Sarah, Aevin’s hair was first measured in October 2010, reaching:
- Height: 18.5 cm (7.3 in)
- Width: 19.6 cm (7.7 in)
- Circumference: 132.1 cm (4 ft 4 in)
After briefly losing the title in 2020 to Simone Williams, Aevin reclaimed it with a record-breaking 25 cm (9.8 in) height and 165 cm (5 ft 4.9 in) circumference in September 2022 the largest afro ever recorded in GWR’s 70-year history.
Champion of Natural Hair
Aevin’s journey wasn’t only about measurements. She once straightened her hair but embraced her natural texture in her mid-20s, inspiring others to love themselves as they are.
“I wanted little Black girls to know how naturally beautiful they were,” she says. “Others appreciating [my afro] was a bonus; the lesson of self-love made my ’fro stand high.”
Her platform has helped shift attitudes, with more young women choosing natural styles over chemical relaxers.
ICON Recognition
GWR’s ICON status celebrates not just Aevin’s record but her role as a global ambassador for body positivity and natural hair. She joins a select group of record holders recognized for making a lasting cultural impact.
From guest speaking at conventions to sharing styling tips her top advice: “Leave your hair alone” Aevin continues to spread a message of confidence and self-acceptance.
With her record-breaking afro and enduring influence, Aevin Dugas stands as both a history-maker and an inspiration, proving that embracing who you are can indeed make the biggest statement of all.
