As a trans woman living with alopecia areata since childhood, I’ve been on a constant pursuit of self. I learned quickly how hair is such a huge element of self expression and I had to figure out what my relationship was to a part of me I could no longer utilize as a tool for self exploration.

As a teenager I was afraid to wear wigs because I felt my womanhood was already in question. I felt I would appear inauthentic to the outside world and was afraid to express the side of me that longed for inches swinging behind as I’d strut through the New York City streets. But luckily my fears never get the best of me and my curiosity always wins. 

My first wig was gifted to me by the most beautiful girl in High School. She’d walk into class with a different wig everyday. She was so fearless. I looked up to the way she carried herself and think she sensed my longing to be as bold and beautiful as she was so she gifted me a long layered jet black wig. She said she felt it was made for me. That was the beginning of a long journey through the world of hair that eventually led to a community that helped me find the strength to live authentically and comfortably in my truth.

When I finally began to embrace the idea of being a wig wearer, I found much more than good quality virgin hair. I discovered a community of women online who were so giving and vulnerable. They were sharing tips, resources, techniques, their personal stories. There I was, so insecure of being bald and wearing wigs and here were these women with already beautiful heads of hair who were putting on bald caps just to put on a wig and doing it on camera for the world to see.

One day a video on wig making popped up on my YouTube and something in me clicked. There was always a level of discomfort to wearing a wig for more than 24 hours and the hair I was buying seemed to turn against me in 3 - 6 months. I’ve always longed to discover the most natural, comfortable, long lasting and secure wigs on the market and was never truly satisfied with what I found so, why not make my own? I had studied fashion for 6 years at the High School of Fashion Industries and FIT and was a skilled seamstress so I felt I was already a few steps ahead of the game. Watching a wig being made seemed like something I could definitely get the hang of so I took it upon myself to study wig making day in and day out in hopes of making a unit that suited my needs.

After years of trial and error, constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing wig after wig, investing in and testing hair from vendor after vendor, I finally made myself a wig that had everything I wanted… quality, comfort, security, and longevity. I was able to wear these wigs comfortably for weeks on end. I could vacation, swim, shower, have sex, dance and sleep in them without feeling insecure. It really changed my life and I wanted others who are on a similar path to feel as touched by comfort as I’ve been.

There are so many wig companies out there. So many immensely talented artists making magic in so many ways. Sharing their craft with our community of wig wearers in a way I’ve always found touching. As someone who has worked in the music industry for the past 20 years, an industry that thrives on gatekeeping, I feel blessed to be part of a community of female and femme owned businesses who are sharing their talents, resources and stories with the world in way that is infectious and selfless and I’m excited to throw my hat (or wig) in the ring. I’m so proud of Hi-Def Femme Hair and all that we have in store. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I can’t wait to continue to connect, build and deliver you the quality and comfort we all deserve.

Xxn.