Let’s talk Hard Cap Wigs - Hair Fibre! The History & What Studio Loz Offers..

Historically, Hard Cap Wigs originated from Mannequin Wig Making. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to start my training in this industry and be trained by one of the BEST hard cap wig makers around: Tyrone Perera. Lovely Ty took the time to guide me through the processes of making hard cap bases, mixing colour and of course the sculpting process.

The techniques of glueing and sticking, sculpting and moulding the hair onto buckram bases, bespoke fitted to the mannequin head. Along side these bespoke fitted heads were a lot of tricky head shapes and sizes, that had to be navigated thoroughly and tight enough to withstand an upside down head or the likes.

Over the years I have developed my cap with a much more comfortable material to fit a human head; comfort being, as ever the most important factor. I pride my hard cap bases on being the most secure custom fit, lined with a luxurious finish.

Mannequin Wig Hair Fibre:

This fibre was sourced and shipped directly from Japan and its original name was Kanekalon Fibre. The hair source was grade A, it was the perfect blend of shine and texture to create eye catching, hard cap wigs for a window display on mannequins. Most window displays within the visual merchandising world had beautiful lighting that would catch the shine of the hair fibre, Teamed with the industrial laquer we use , to make the wigs hard. It was a beautiful combination for the hard cap wigs in the mannequin world!

This supplier and type of hair disappeared off the market not long ago, and no longer exists, after months and months of research, there is simply none of this fibre available.

One thing that we have to remember about mannequin wigs, is they were hard cap wigs, sprayed solid and placed on a mannequin head, no interference and definitely no back to back shows in a row, they were built solid but not to perform. So let’s leave that fibre in the past and talk about the future alternatives of hard cap wigs.

Synthetic Fibre Hard Cap Wigs:

2024, I spent the year using synthetic fibre for my hard cap wig creations, because there was no other alternative. I have created the perfect blend of mixture of two suppliers, that create a lovely shine. With this mixture, and the correct built up bases you can create wonderful creations.

The reason why I love synthetic fibre hard cap wigs, is because they are so incredibly lightweight. I can create a wig so solid with my techniques and it be light as a feather. When an actor is on stage, it’s incredibly important to have comfort, especially if the actor is wearing this wig the whole performance. Teamed with my hard cap bases that ensure softness on the head, the comfort level and lightweight designs are a must have for constant on stage performances.

Below are all synthetic fibre hard cap wigs that I created in 2024.

Head over to my Instagram to see the processes of these wigs being made.

Panto Dame HARD FIBRE Hard Cap Wigs:

Let’s get into this topic, without the hullabaloo.. Back in the day hard acrylic fibre was around and sourced from over seas. It was where panto dame hard cap wigs originated, so this hard fibre was the standard, that fell off the market when it couldn’t be sourced anymore. Alternative options have been made (above) and suffice.

What’s the difference with HARD FIBRE & SYNTHETIC FIBRE.

Hard fibre is harder. The material that forms a hard cap wig is thicker, has more of a shine. They say that hard fibre lasts longer, but I’d give it a run for its money and say that after a year of playing around with synthetic fibre hard cap wigs, I can make it last just as long.

Hard fibre is heavier. This is a pre warning to any newbies in the dame world or current dames who have never used this hard fibre alternative,

I have played around with the fibre to get it as lightweight as I possibly can, as I pride myself on comfort when it comes to making.

Panto dames have an incredible amount of costume and wig changes throughout the show, so each wig is only worn for a short amount of time, if not the staple wig for the show.

Side note: if you are using a hard cap wig for a theatre production where you use the wig for the whole run, please consider a synthetic hard cap option, comfort and a lightweight wig is key.

CUSTOM MADE Synthetic Hard Cap Wigs AND Hard Fibre Hard Cap Wigs are now available at Studio Loz.

There is a slight difference in price, Hard Fibre just being a tad extra, not much due to the fibre itself being more expensive and the amount of time needed to create. It takes a little longer than my standard synthetic fibre wigs.

Please note: if you require a certain colour of hard fibre that I don’t have in stock, this will take 30 days to deliver and no less, plus the standard order time . So get in early and place your orders.

I currently have royal blue, red, orange, yellow, pink, purple and brown in stock and bundles of it too. You can mix colours if preferred.

FOAM Hard Cap Wigs & Head Pieces:

In addition to the new year, I have been asked multiple times for foam wigs. So I am now offering this service to my repertoire of hard cap wigs.

The foam wigs that you currently buy on Etsy and most of the online platforms are made with a foam base, these wigs don’t last as long as they should.

My foam wigs are made on a wired hard cap wig base, to ensure comfort, a bespoke fitted foam wigs and longevity.

Here’s a collection below, colours and styles vary and can be made to order and design.

Head Pieces are now also available at Studio Loz, colour, design and styles can be made custom, as ever.