Ncumisa Duma, widely known as Mimi or Urban Mimz, is a natural hairstylist redefining the boundaries of hair as art. Recently profiled in Destiny Magazine and City Press as a “hair guru” who “tells stories through hair,” Mimi is making her mark with fierce creativity and bold, sculptural expression.
She trained formally at Carlton Hair Academy and spent two years working in a Carlton salon, where she gained experience with all hair types. But it was here that Mimi also realised that traditional salon work could never satisfy her expansive creative vision. She began teaching herself deeply about African hair textures, exploring shape, form, structure, and performance—drawing from her theatrical background and the rising wave of Afrofuturism.
Mimi’s work has been seen on Terry Pheto, Andile Ncube, and multiple Glam Squad contestants. She’s created standout hair looks for Thandiswa Mazwai’s Bonna cover shoot, avant-garde covers for Bubblegum Club, and major campaigns including Nike Women’s Run – The Pack, Caster Semenya, DJ Doowap, and Standard Bank’s Avant Card campaign with Trevor Stuurman.
Mimi’s artistry goes beyond styling—she uses hair as a medium to express identity, culture, and narrative, cementing herself as one of the most important emerging voices in contemporary African hair art.
For more of her work please visit her Instagram page