wigs Important Accessory

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31678, 14 May 1968, Page 11

wigs Important Accessory

Once, worn only in cases of necessity where baldness existed and then always furtively and with a sense of shame, wigs were ugly and only too obvious substitutes for real hair. Now, however, within a comparatively short time, wigs have assumed all the importance of a fashion accessory and are worn openly and proudly as improvements to the wearer’s own hair.

Once, worn only in cases, lively and with a sense of of necessity where baldness i shame, wigs were ugly and existed and then always fur-1 only too obvious substitutes

for real hair. Now, however, within a comparatively short time, wigs have assumed all the importance of a fashion accessory and are worn openly and proudly as improvements to the wearer’s own hair.

In spite of its recent popularity, wig-making has been in existence for more than 3000 years. During the Renaissance and in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries particularly, wigs were considered an essential item of dress, and both men and women proudly paraded elaborate creations. The present fashion is not likely to be just a passing fancy. As more and more women go out to work, finding time to go to the hairdresser becomes a problem, and yet women are still expected to retain their feminine, well-groomed appearance and glamour.

Elaborate hairstyles, especially for evening wear, are still expected as if women had long leisurely hours to spend on their appearances. Many women are overcoming this problem by buying wigs, hairpieces, switches or pigtails, all of which can be fitted by the hairdresser, or by the wearer, in a few minutes. During the last five years wigs have improved greatly in naturalness, construction.

lightness and manageability. “She’s wearing a wig,” is no longer a derogatory term, but an expression of admiration for the modern woman.

With the increased demand for wigs, attention has turned to the quality of the hair being used. All wigs must be properly dyed according to a colour ring and they must also be soft, shining, able to hold a set, be of the proper length and have no unpleasant odour. The hair selected must undergo several different processing methods, according to its original quality, including dyeing and bleaching which can last up to 10 days with the hair suffering a weight loss of from 30 per cent to 60 per cent. According to the latest issue of “Italy Presents,” the Italian trade magazine, the long lustrous locks of the women of Sicily and Southern Italy are acknowledged to be the best in the world. Italian women have hair that is fine, lustrous, firm and strong and that has rarely been damaged by permanent waving or bleaching and that is both easy to set and keep the set longer. i<

Oriental hair is also used, the best being Indonesian, but it is not so acceptable since it must be specially processed before use. Mediterranean hair must not be processed at all, apart from bleaching and dyeing, while Indian hair requires reinforcing, Indonesian bair has to be reduced slightly, and Chinese hair reduced, softened and finally reinforced. Most hairdressers have not regarded the influx of wigs as a threat to their trade, as the demand to set and style wigs and hair pieces is providing them with an added business interest.

Any hairdresser with an artistic talent can, through the cutting and styling of wigs, create styles ranging from simple easy to manage day styles to elaborate decorative evening creations.