The winner of the 2017 Miss France competition, Alicia Aylies, recently found photos of herself under scrutiny. The 18 year old is from French Guinea, and has often been seen in the pageant circuit wearing her natural curls. In photos from a recent shoot, it appears to some as though her curls had been altered to fit European beauty standards.
During her crowning on December 17th, 2016, Aylies proudly wore her natural curls in a wash and go style. However, her many fans were crying foul when photos were released from a shoot with famed photographer Benjamin Decoin and it appeared as though her skin had been lightened and her natural curls smoothed. It was believed the supposed photo shopping was done to make Aylies appear “more like a Frenchwoman.”
Decoin was recently interviewed by Huffington Post and denied that the photos of Aylies had been altered. In the photo in question, Aylies poses on a snowy beach wearing a deep red dress. Compared to the many photos of herself shared on her social media accounts, it appears to many as though her skin has been lightened and her natural curls appear to be smoothed out and straighter.
For her part, Aylies kept the discussion about her curls light hearted. She explained that she is always happy and proud to wear her natural curls. When she is not given options or suggestions for styles, she prefers to wear it curly. She feels this helps her maintain her identity as a woman with naturally curly hair.
What do you think, curlies? Let us know your opinion about whether or not Aylies’ curls were photoshopped in the comments below, read more about it here and see the photos here.