National Wig Out Day occurs on May 27 this year, 10 days prior to the first Monday of June. The holiday, which was created in 2009 by sisters Kate and Alice Clark, grew from a local event to a nationally celebrated event. During the first celebration of the holiday, residents of Bellingham, Washington were persuaded to don bizarre, outlandish wigs. In general, wigs have existed since antiquity, and their popularity continues to develop.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL WIG OUT DAY
National Wig Out Day was founded by Kate and Alice Clark in 2009. The Clark sisters persuaded the residents of Bellingham, Washington, to don outrageous wigs to work. At the end of the day, the celebrants congregated in the city centre for a block party.
A wig is a hair accessory that can be manufactured from human hair, animal hair, or synthetic fibre. Wigs, an abbreviation of the term ‘periwig,’ can be traced back to the earliest written records. Ancient Egyptians frequently wore wigs to shield their scalps from the blazing sun. Romans also wore wigs on their shaved or closely cropped hair. When the Western Roman Empire collapsed, wigs fell out of fashion until the 16th century, when they were once again worn to conceal baldness or as a fashion adornment. Due to the hygiene conditions of the time, wigs were also used to prevent the spread of scabies by requiring that the wearer shave his or her head.
Famous historical figures were renowned for their use of headwear. Queen Elizabeth, I wore a red Roman-style headpiece with tight curls. King Louis XIII of France popularised the use of wigs when he began donning them in 1624. Louis XIV, his son, maintained the trend and contributed to its spread across the European continent. During the 17th century, men’s wigs were introduced to England and quickly became a standard at the English court and among the highest-ranking aristocracy. Wigs are predominantly worn as fashion accessories by women today. In Britain and other Commonwealth nations, justices and barristers still wear wigs.
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5 OF THE MOST FAMOUS WIGMAKERS
Kim Kimble
Kimble, proprietor of the Los Angeles-based Kim Kimble Hair Studio, creates wigs for celebrities such as Beyoncé.
Shon Hyungsun Ju
Katy Perry is among Hyungsun Ju’s clientele, and she is well-known for producing dramatic-looking wigs.
Theresa Butterworth
Butterworth, who has over 25 years of experience in the wig-making industry, creates wigs for films and television programmes such as “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “X-Files.”
Alonzo Arnold
Arnold creates hairstyles for celebrities such as Keke Palmer, Solange Knowles, and Porsha Williams.
Isaac Davidson
Davidson, the founder of Wigbar in New York City, creates wigs for Sia.
NATIONAL WIG OUT DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | May 28 | Saturday |
2023 | May 27 | Saturday |
2024 | May 25 | Saturday |
2025 | May 24 | Saturday |
2026 | May 23 | Saturday |