Life + Love

Follow The Quiff

james dean quiff
They say that who you first crush on lays the foundation of the type of partner you’d find attractive later in life. Well, my first pre-teen movie star crush was James Dean. I fell in celluloid love with his acting, his creative brilliance, his eccentricities, his style and his hair. Added bonus thrill for me when I found out that he and I coincidentally shared the same birthdate.


james dean listening to records
Photos: Dennis Stock | Roy Schatt

Then in high school, I discovered The Smiths. My teen angst self fell for the music, Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar, Morrissey’s voice and of course, his quiff.

Morrissey famously idolized James Dean, even writing a song about him, Suedehead. The homage music video was even filmed in Dean’s hometown of Fairmount, Indiana.


Towards the end of high school, I became obsessed with David Lynch’s cult TV show, Twin Peaks. I watched it religiously, not missing a single episode of season one.

illustration of david lynch quiff
I was so much of a Twin Peaks fan, that years later, I jumped at the chance to travel to the real Twin Peaks. and that was with Sean, an even bigger David Lynch fan than me.

david lynch quiff
Photo: Jerome Bonnet

Looking back, I find it amusing that the physical characteristics of these 3 left-of-centre, pompodoured men would eventually point me to who I would be with today.


My very own Suedehead. Also marching to the beat of a different drum.

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