Custom handmade wigs in Shepperton
Wigs can give women back their confidence. Adele Waters meets some bringers of hope...
It’s wonderful, reflects Linda Cooley, to see the difference that a visit to Shepperton Wigs can make. Often, women arrive at the workshop in a downbeat mood, almost apologetic in their demeanour. “But they leave feeling better about themselves, walking taller – and with a sense of hope,” she says. Currently celebrating 21 years in business, Linda set up her wig-making enterprise with Joanne Foster, a former hairdresser, and Gill Little, who retired from the company after 40 years in the profession.
Like all successful businesswomen, the trio had to flex and adapt to market pressures. Consequently, their skills, originally developed for the theatre and film industries, gradually found a new outlet: helping women suffering from hair loss. “Losing your hair can be devastating for women,” says Joanne.
“We have patients of all ages, from 7 to 90. Some have lost their hair, partially or totally, through chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Others have lost it through alopecia, either gradually over the years or very quickly. It’s so satisfying to know that you can make a real difference to these women. That always inspires me.” Linda concurs. “Often, when women come to us, you can sense they’re not feeling brilliant. You can just tell.
Some say that losing their hair feels like the worst thing in the world. “But then, when you fit a wig, they start to view themselves differently. They see that they are lovely; they walk out of here as you do when you’ve been to the hairdresser, happier and standing proud. It is transformational.”
Linda and Joanne are not only passionate about their craft – between them, they’ve spent nearly 90 years in the hair business – but they are also firm believers in the power of wigs to help women with hair loss feel emboldened. “Positivity can make a huge difference to how you move on in your life,” says Joanne. “And we see women who show great human spirit.
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“A couple of our ladies are on long-term treatment, and I suppose we’ve lived their journey with them – in one case, for 15 years. She had treatment for a brain tumour and now wears wigs permanently. I think she’s an inspiration – a young mum, and I’ve never met anyone more positive. She’s just fantastic.” “I see it like this,” adds Linda.
“Once a woman has sorted her hair, she can feel strong enough to get on and face the rest of her life.” If Linda and Jo talk like old friends, it’s because they are. They first worked together at London Wigs in Central London during the 1990s, working on stage productions such as Phantom of the Opera and Grease, as well as on films including Mission: Impossible and Gosford Park.
Interested in costume making from childhood, Linda first got the bug for wig making while studying at Wimbledon School of Art. Joanne came to the craft after 12 years in hairdressing, sacrificing savings for her honeymoon to fund a place on a wig-making course, which Linda was teaching.
The pair set up Shepperton Wigs with Gill in 2002, supplying “anything hairy” – from moustaches or sideburns to wigs and full body hair – for live events, filmed performances and art installations, and private customers.
As registered NHS suppliers, they also offer their expertise to patients at Ashford Hospital, St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey and elsewhere.
Wig fitting starts with a consultation to ascertain the customer’s hair needs and preferences for style and colour. The client (usually a woman) can also try on different wigs to select something suitable — or not, as the case may be. “We never push,” says Joanne. “We understand that a wig won’t be right for some women or may not be the right time.
“If you opt for a handmade wig, we take a mould of your head to ensure an exact fit. We fit a net base around it, then hair strands are individually ‘knotted’ onto that in layers.” It’s painstaking work – a full wig takes about 60 hours to knot. Then it has to be cut to suit. Prices vary. Readymade wigs cost from £250 to £500 for acrylic, £1,500 for real hair versions and about £750 for hybrids (a mix of the two).
Recent world events, such as the war in Ukraine and the COVID pandemic, have led to a hike in the price of real hair due to a drop in supply — a 22-inch ponytail costs about £560. Consequently, a bespoke real hair wig costs around £2,800. “You can buy wigs online, but they are unlikely to look natural if they are not made for your head,” explains Linda.
“Women often expect our wigs to be awful, like a joke or party wigs. But once Joanne has worked her magic, it’s as if they have their own hair. They just don’t look like they’re wearing a wig.” “In fact, that’s the test,” adds Joanne. “If you wear a wig, no one should notice.”
Shepperton Wigs, Unit 11, Vicarage Farm, Halliford Road, Sunbury. Tel: 01932 225796; sheppertonwigs.co.uk
