It’s like a curse

Scientists used to think that red hair emerged when Homo sapiens arrived in Europe 40,000 years ago. But then in 2007, DNA retrieved from Neanderthals suggested that at least some were redheads. That means the ginger gene could be over 100,000 years old. What this shows is that red hair may once have conferred a biological advantage. Notably, redheads can produce high concentrations of vitamin D under low light conditions, something that helped ward off rickets in light-deprived northern Europe. Jonathan Rees, who discovered the red hair gene, argued that for it to have thrived, red hair must have been a desired trait.

What’s clear is that an interest in red hair—the science, history and aesthetics—is in vogue. This winter, Charlotte Rushton will publish Ginger Snaps, a photo collection of redheads. For the U.K.-born, red-haired photographer, the publication will be a sort of vindication. Rushton says that growing up, she was subjected to a relentless stream of taunting—or “ginger-baiting”—which “bordered on molestation.” Moving to California, she was astonished to learn “Americans love red hair!”

Redheads, in turn, are riding this wave. The icing on the cake was this summer’s fifth annual Redhead Day in Breda, Holland. The celebration, with 3,000 gingers, was organized by Bart Rouwenhorst, an energy consultant and amateur artist—and a blond. “So many people came to this event,” he explained, because “people with red hair feel related to other people with red hair.” Popular events on the day included: a fashion show with 50 red-haired models, lectures on red hair science and a group photo shoot.

And about that pesky problem of imminent extinction? A host of pro-red websites have sprung up. “Sav[ing] the Redheads,” outlines Redhedd.com, is “a two-step process, and imperialistic to the very core. The first step is to intramarry. The second is to intermarry.” But what spurred this new fetish? Boredom among the Hollywood elite, perhaps. Marion Roach has a different idea: “We’re just much more comfortable with powerful women than we ever have been.” The quintessential sass-talking redhead, Roach says, is “the ultimate representation of the powerful woman.” Now, with any hope, redheads will be around long enough to enjoy this new-found veneration.