It’s a more than unexpected comeback. In 2021, the mullet cut has returned to the top of the hair trend, to the point that it has just been the theme of a European festival! Crossed portraits of Julian and Olivier, two followers of this hairstyle straight out of the 80s.
A haircut can bring a lot in terms of well-being, and it’s not Julian, 33, and Olivier, 34, who will tell you the opposite. A little over a year ago, the two friends decided together to adopt the famous mullet cut, which has been coming back into fashion for some time.
At the time, the first anti-coronavirus confinement caused hairdressers to close, and their hair, which is already used to more or less eccentric cuts, is growing. “At first, we just did it for fun, responding to the challenge that a friend had given us. We had no idea that it was back in fashion”tell the two friends, who live in the town of Angoisse, between Limoges and Périgueux. “Then we realized that this cut appealed to people. People came to talk to us, it created positive links, we liked it”, they continue. “We also like to stand out, in private life as well as in professional life. With this cut, our potential customers identify us better, and that shows that we are open-minded”, they add. They continue: “It’s also our slightly rebellious side. By wearing this cut that many consider redneck and a little backward, we go against what people expect. We appreciate breaking the codes”.
A cup invented by fishermen
Originally, the haircut of these two extremely friendly handsome boys was worn by fishermen of a fish called “mullet”. In the 80s, it was popularized by famous singers and sportsmen, such as David Bowie and Andre Agassi. And against all odds, its slightly macho side has been brought up to date by well-known women like Rihanna, Christine and the Queens or Miley Cyrus, who, since 2020, have started wearing more sophisticated versions.
Quite technically complex, the mullet cut consists of wearing your hair short on the sides and long at the nape of the neck. An intermediate length should be left on the top of the head, and the whole thing is quite messy. Thus, Julian and Olivier carefully maintain their respective haircuts, with a little refreshment every six to eight weeks. Olivier’s, brunette, curls nicely on the back, and is matched with a beautiful mustache. Same spirit on the side of Julian, who enhanced everything with blonde locks.
Olivier’s mullet haircut.
Birth of a community
The two friends work together on the same leisure base during the summer. Olivier is a water ski instructor there, and Julian manages reception. The rest of the year, Julian is a graphic designer, and Olivier a sports coach (as evidenced by his impressive musculature). And if their style denotes in their environment, they gradually discovered that they belonged to a real community, first on social networks, where the clichés of mullet cuts flourish, then by participating in the European festival of the mullet cut , won this year by the Belgian Nicolas Vanderkelen. “We had a Facebook group to prepare for this event, on which the participants were motivated. And when we went there, it was great, we had the impression of meeting a family. A bit like when we discover the existence of a distant cousin”, enthusiastically recount the two friends, who have known each other for nine years. Despite a huge storm which broke out in Chéniers (in the Creuse), and disrupted the applause meter intended to elect the most beautiful mule cut, Julian finished first in the “modern mule” category. A place of which the two friends are very proud, because “A mullet haircut takes a long time to obtain. Wearing it is proof of perseverance”, they explain.
The mule cut festival in Chéniers, in Creuse.
Let’s end with an essential question: does the mullet cut appeal to girls? “This is a question we are often asked. In any case, it is not an obstacle”, laughingly answer the two bachelors, now childless. “On the other hand, if I have to settle down with a girl, it’s very important for me that she accepts me as is, with my mullet haircut, and not that she starts by wanting to change me”, explains Oliver. “Because I feel much better the way I am today than a few years ago,” he finishes.
For the moment, neither Olivier nor Julian are planning to change their haircut. More motivated than ever, they are instead aiming to participate in their second Mule Cup festival, which will be held next year in Belgium. With hair, they hope, even longer.
