Model Jessica Hart May Have Invented Top Knots

Last night’s WSJ. Innovator Awards were all about breaking new ground, so it seemed only right to poll guests on innovations they’ve contributed to the world. Answers ranged from cookie recipes (Karlie Kloss) to Instagrams (Constance Jablonski) to hairdos. “The top knot,” said model Jessica Hart. “I’ve been doing that for nine years now. I hate washing my hair, so I’d always just put my hair on top of my head. Now it’s this huge thing. But I really feel like I was the first.”

As the originator of the top knot, was she annoyed when it got trendy? “Yes! I was a little bit. And other people would claim that someone else had been the first person, and I was like, ‘There’s no way.’” Does her innovative top knot have any other special characteristics? “First of all, I do it myself. A lot of other people have it done. I think there’s an art form to it. One day I might do a video on how I do mine. I only do it with one hair band, no pins. I don’t think many other people could create the look with just one hair band.” Click through our slideshow to see other attendees’ personal breakthroughs (mundanity welcome!).