Zeeshan Ali, a drag performer from Mumbai, has been using wigs as a transformative tool for his art for over a decade. With around 45 wigs in his collection, Ali explains how these pieces help him shift from his everyday identity to fantastical characters during performances. While sourcing wigs was once a challenge in India, the times have changed, and wigs are now vastly popular among everyday individuals, marking a new era where wigs are celebrated as fashion statements rather than mere hair accessories.
India stands as a giant in the global hair market, exporting around 85% of the world's human hair. Local collectors like Kolachi Venkatesh are key players in this industry, gathering discarded locks to sell to traders. Despite their efforts, many collectors earn meager wages, often below minimum standards.
Most of India's hair eventually finds its way to China, where it's manufactured into high-quality wigs. Experts such as Benjamin Cherian from Plexconcil emphasize the need for India to enhance its production capabilities to capture more of the lucrative wig market. With the growth of businesses like Diva Divine Hair, which focuses on quality extensions, shifting from taboo to mainstream, and technological innovations, the future looks bright for India's hair industry.
As Ali looks to the future, he hopes for more Indian-made wigs, both affordable and captivating, to elevate the drag scene and meet the growing demand in the beauty industry.
India stands as a giant in the global hair market, exporting around 85% of the world's human hair. Local collectors like Kolachi Venkatesh are key players in this industry, gathering discarded locks to sell to traders. Despite their efforts, many collectors earn meager wages, often below minimum standards.
Most of India's hair eventually finds its way to China, where it's manufactured into high-quality wigs. Experts such as Benjamin Cherian from Plexconcil emphasize the need for India to enhance its production capabilities to capture more of the lucrative wig market. With the growth of businesses like Diva Divine Hair, which focuses on quality extensions, shifting from taboo to mainstream, and technological innovations, the future looks bright for India's hair industry.
As Ali looks to the future, he hopes for more Indian-made wigs, both affordable and captivating, to elevate the drag scene and meet the growing demand in the beauty industry.
