Annie Woon
Having worked with a string of local celebrities, wig stylist Annie Woon also boasts the title of creator of the world’s widest wig. She talks to Yu Shuai about her designs.
HK Magazine: What prompted you to start making wigs?
Annie Woon: When I visited my friends in New York, I saw a lot of Bugs Bunny dolls in the window display of Warner Brothers. I found it very interesting that the dolls were dressed up in clothes and accessories from different brands, but their hair wasn’t styled. From the fashion shows I saw, I knew that a hairdo would make a look even better. Hence, a wig would help people who did not have their desired hair length look more fashionable. After returning to Hong Kong, I began making wigs as a hobby, and sold my collections in salons. Later on, as I got more involved in creating wigs for concerts, movies and fashion shows, it occupied more of my time. I started to consider if I could make a career out of making wigs, so I quit law school and started working full-time on it.
HK: How did you learn to make wigs?
AW: I didn’t know how to make wigs at first, but I acquired the skills as I made them. You have to create a design first, and then request a sample from a factory before the manufacturing process begins. I found that factories can only make mass products and do not pay attention to detail. To make the product the way I designed, I have to do it with my own hands, including sticking hair to a net and hairstyling. I use standard hairstyling tools and products, as well as crafting tools.
HK: Where do you find inspiration?
AW: I find it all around. After setting the theme and concept of a design, anything can inspire me. These range from furnishings at home, patterns on my clothes, and other fashion designs. I also do sketches of my designs to see if they look good on paper.
HK: What has your experience working with celebrities been like?
AW: I usually have to follow certain guidelines on the styling and overall look. Wigs for celebrities have to match their clothes and the theme of the event. I can’t be very creative as there are restrictions. However, my experience with Cantopop diva Anita Mui was special. When I was working with her, she was already sick [Mui died of cervical cancer in 2003] but still had to perform on stage. I wanted her to look more lively, therefore I put some highlights in her hairdo. I don’t think it was an outstanding design, but she looked very confident in the wig I made.
HK: Who do you think should wear a wig?
AW: Anyone can wear a wig. Girls look sexier and more beautiful with fuller hair, while men look much younger in a wig. A wig fulfills two types of needs. For cancer patients, a wig is a necessity because hair loss is a side effect of chemotherapy. But for some, a wig satisfies their desires of being fashionable. People might want another hairstyle, but they don’t want to cut their hair; some would like a wig—maybe a colorful one—to match their clothes. A wig does not necessarily have to cover the whole head. It can be a piece of highlighting or some bangs that clip to the bottom of your real hair.
HK: Where do you source hair?
AW: Whenever I see suitable hair, I stock up on it, just like people who collect antiques. I can order synthetic hair from factories. As for human hair, older hair is more valuable, and its value increases as time passes. France has more hair for styling purposes, while hair from Japan is more suited to essential needs.