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Wigmaker's Art: Transforming Lives, Facing Extinction
4 Apr
Summary
- Banbury Postiche, a wigmaker since 1914, is one of two producing wigs from scratch.
- Bespoke handmade wigs cost £1,500 to £4,000 and take 50-70 hours to create.
- Wigmaking is a dying craft, with efforts focused on training new generations.
Banbury Postiche, a UK-based company established in 1914, is one of the nation's last remaining wigmakers producing bespoke pieces entirely from scratch. This traditional craft, which significantly impacts clients' self-confidence, is facing a concerning decline, with fears it may become a "dying craft."
Bespoke wigs, often made from human hair, can range from £1,500 to £4,000 and require 50 to 70 hours of meticulous work. Each wig involves individual hairs being knotted onto a custom base by three to four specialists, with only about ten produced monthly. Despite the economic challenges, Banbury Postiche actively invests in training to pass these essential skills to new generations.
Clients, like Liz Campbell who lost her hair in a childhood accident, share transformative stories of renewed confidence enabled by these custom wigs. The company also supplies wigs for the NHS and theatre productions, highlighting the diverse impact of their work. Efforts are underway to secure the future of wigmaking in the UK.
