- Wig Chapel
- Wig Chapel
- Wig Chapel
LOCKDOWN TALES: Wig Chapel on silver linings and creating during a crisis
Images: Wig Chapel
Interview: Emma de Clercq
With their wigs appearing on stages and magazines across the world, there’s a good chance you’ve come across a Wig Chapel piece in the flesh at one time or another. Led by Jack James Baxter, the London based company offers ready-to-wear pieces as well as creating unique custom styles for their clients, which include some of the world’s most recognisable Drag Race girls. Baxter, whose skill set makes for that satisfying mix of creative flair and expert execution, has crafted countless pieces in every colour and shape imaginable, and even a quick scroll through the Wig Chapel Instagram provides the perfect tonic for a grey day. With a custom wig taking 6-8 weeks to complete, Baxter is no stranger to long hours of solitary work. With this in mind, he shares his tips for getting stuck in to a quarantine project.
Has this time in isolation given you time to do or make something that you might not have? I went through an old box of wigs that were once used for photoshoots or drag and have started recycling and upcycling them into new designs. Most of the wigs you see at @wigchapel are custom styled wigs that clients have commissioned me to make. Very occasionally when I can squeeze it in (like now), I’ll make a wig just for the fun of it. That way I can be completely free and try to create something original to put out into the world. So you can expect to see a few garish, bizarre and wacky hairstyles popping up soon on instagram and our online store.
What are your tips for getting in a creative mindset? Being in prolonged isolation means you have plenty of time for trial and error. Don’t be scared to do a bad job. All the mistakes you make when you’re starting to experiment with a new medium will allow you to see what NOT to do next time you try – so the second, third time round you won’t do it again. Now is a great time to play and experiment with a creative medium you feel like you never normally have time for. We are blessed to have so many online tutorials and resources to learn and hone our own skills – that’s how I learnt to make and style wigs.
What benefits do you think creating something with your hands has on your state of mind? It’s very satisfying to create something from scratch and to finish it. I often have about 9 or 10 wigs on the go at once, so I can switch between them and do a little bit of work on a few at a time. Eventually, I will then have the satisfaction of finishing a few all on the same day. The repetition of making something with your hands over and over again allows the task to become second nature. This allows you to build on your skills and attempt more difficult creative tasks related to your medium at hand.
During a difficult time like this, what role do you think creativity plays? For me, it’s a healthy distraction from the news cycle at the moment. Whether it’s consuming art or making your own, art will give your brain a bit of healthy escapism. It’s good to try and seek out the silver linings where we can at the moment. We are so fortunate to live in a time where we are so connected to one another online, and to have platforms like Instagram and YouTube where we can post our work/art to share and inspire each other.
“Being in prolonged isolation means you have plenty of time for trial and error. Don’t be scared to do a bad job"
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
