BUZZNET EXCLUSIVE! DIE ANTWOORD: The Legends, The Hair

Ever wanted to know who is behind Yo-Landi Vi$$er and Ninja of Die Antwoord's zeff haircuts? We did, so we hopped a plane to Cape Town, South Africa to talk to their stylists Andrew and Karen of Scar Hair to find out more. And by “hopped a plane,” we mean “emailed.”

BUZZNET: What did you do before opening Scar?

Andrew (co-owner): We’ve always cut hair, but in 1998 some friends and I opened SCAR, which back then was a clothing store for local underground talent. Four years later we opened the hair salon. Jodi (co-owner) and I love Karen; she is one of the most talented people I know; a technical genius.

Karen (stylist): We both come from Durban. Andrew's been in Cape Town for about 12 years. When I moved here 7 years ago, he took me under his wing and I worked under him for a while. Cape Town has more scope for creative work, so I started feeling excited about my work when I settled in here.

Karen, Yo-Landi and SpongeBob

BUZZNET: Do you have a favorite client?

Andrew: Anyone who doesn't cry... and Ninja 'coz he lets me hold his sword.

Karen: Hope Lancaster, a 16-year old who let me turn her head into a rainbow, literally.

BUZZNET: Who or what inspires your style?

Andrew: My staff, my clients, my life? Anyone who has a great look by mistake.

Karen: The Japanese and anyone who had a hair "don't" in the 70's or 80's.

Ninja giving Andrew 'The Ninja'

BUZZNET: How long have you been doing Die Antwoord’s hair?

Andrew: My partner, Jodi is really good friends with Yo-Landi, so I met them through her about 9 years ago. They really are like family to us. Cape Town is really small and our shop is situated in a very central area in town on Kloof Street. We generally all see each other once, if not twice a day.

Karen: I’ve been doing Yo-landi's hair for over 7 years. She's a constant in my life and a friend whose visits I love for obvious reasons.

Andrew giving the Ninja 'The Ninja'

BUZZNET: Has Die Antwoord’s overnight success affected your business at all?

Andrew: Well, I've got sixteen Yo-landi's booked in tomorrow.

Karen: Always!

BUZZNET: What are Ninja and Yo-Landi like in person?

Andrew: Ninja is sick for Steri Stumpie's, and Yo-Landi likes a to sneak a cigar on the balcony with Jodi while her color is processing. They are exactly what you see, and then they are more. Ninja is the best storyteller I know.

Karen: Yo-Landi is magical and mysterious and likes it when her hair is fresh. She is fussy and won’t see anyone else. She says she likes to "stick to her roots." I love it!

BUZZNET: How did you come up with their hairstyles?

Andrew: Ninja is the inspiration for his haircut.

Karen: Yo-Landi is exquisite. In person she is even more ethereal than she appears. Her hair, its color and its form are suited to her in every way.

The video that started it all

BUZZNET: We expect to see their hair popping up at NY Fashion Week and in magazines this season. Has their look caught on locally yet?

Andrew: People all over the country have been following Die Antwoord for ages; they have extremely loyal fans who wait to see what’s next all the time. Cape Town is very progressive in its own way. Yo-Landi is as intriguing to South Africa as she is to people over there. And so is her hair, just the same. We have lots of Yo-Landi's out there, and 'Zeff' versions of her fringe and color...Zeff is very broad. Almost anything goes. Almost. â�¨I’ve done some Ninjas too and seen some that have done their own versions.

BUZZNET: Do you have other celebrity clients?

Andrew: We support a lot of local bands, its something we love to do. The boys from Goldfish are regulars at the salon, other local bands like Damn Right, Magic of Pegasus,The Plastics. Vanilla Ice was in a little while ago. Rachel Weisz and that doos from Men Behaving Badly owe me beer money. I did Eva Hertzogova in the Stella McCartney show, and Kate Moss' hair for a Storm launch. (They're not that hot).

BUZZNET: Tell us what we need to know about Scar

Karen: SCAR PARTIES CANNOT BE MISSED. SCAR SKILL IS ILL.

BUZZNET: What can we expect to see of Scar Hair in the future?

Andrew: Good hair for bad people.

Karen: Bad hair for good people.

For location and info go to www.scarhair.com