Wigs Around the Globe: The Big Business of Hairpieces
Devotees practicing excessive adoration for celebrities and materialistic indulgence
Making a pretty penny with human hair wigs? No problem! With close to $8 billion earned in 2023 and a predicted $10 billion by 2028, the market for these tresses is downright lush. As a crime thriller, this topic might not be the most suspenseful, but there are some wild stories behind the scenes.
Consider this: the more money flowing, the more shady business deals there are. Here's a quote from the eerily over-the-top Swiss "Tatort" production, fittingly amusing but applicable in reality: "The hair of the poor adorns the heads of the rich-this absurdity is an immensely lucrative business."
What about hair representing diversity, politics, power, and religion? Look no further! The trade in human hair can help tell vivid tales of social hierarchy, religious beliefs, and cultural identity. For instance, the intriguing narrative of "Rapunzel" draws inspiration from a bizarre real-life event that took the industry by storm decades ago.
Bringing "Tatort" to the Streets
In the Orthodox Jewish community, married women are required to cover their hair in public. The sheitel, or wig made from human hair, has become an elegant solution that allows women to follow religious laws while maintaining a modern appearance.
However, in 2004 a rabbinical decree shook up this market, going after the foundation itself. Shalom Yosef Elyashiv declared that Indian hair, which makes up the majority of the global supply, was not kosher because it was often sourced from Hindu temples, where women offered their hair as religious offerings. In Jewish terminology, this is considered "Goetzenanbetung," or idol worship. Elyashiv banned the practice outright.
The repercussions were dramatic. The Rabbi even advised people to burn already purchased Indian wigs, as "objects of idol worship must be destroyed." Orthodox Jewish women were instructed to pay for their wigs in exact change to avoid receiving any potentially tainted money.
Today, hair factories must present special kosher certificates, and each wig is labeled accordingly. The cost for a kosher human hair wig ranges between €700 and €1,700, with added monthly maintenance costs since the women cannot wash their own wigs. A high-quality human hair wig can last up to ten years with proper care.
The Dark Side of the Glittering Empire
You know where there's money? There's also sketchy business. "Rapunzel" hints at real-life issues in the industry with its plot about fake human hair. In reality, the black market thrives with subpar or misrepresented products. Specifically, problems arise with the source labeling. While "European hair" is marketed as a premium product, a large portion of the claimed European hair actually hails from other regions. Tracing these supply chains is often impossible, making fraud easy as pie.
But what about the future of the hairpiece biz? Today, 3D scanning makes it possible to create custom hairpieces without the customer being present. AI assists in color matching and predicting trends. Meanwhile, synthetic fibers are being developed that closely resemble real hair.
As Commissioners Grandjean and Ott wrap up their investigation in Zurich, the hair business continues elsewhere. Somewhere in the world, a woman is cutting her hair-for religious reasons, out of necessity, or for fashion. Elsewhere, another woman is putting on a wig-to hide her identity, maintain her dignity, or simply to look good.
Source: ntv.de
- Crime
- Tatort
- TV
Enrichment Data:The human hair wig industry is undergoing significant growth and change, fueled by technological innovations, evolving consumer preferences, and ongoing ethical challenges.
- Market Size and Growth: The global market for human hair wigs, false beards, and other products is expected to reach $44.5 billion by 2033, reflecting a strong upward trend[1][2].
- Demand Drivers: The popularity of human hair wigs is fueled by rising demand for protective styling, fashion trends, and accessibility thanks to online platforms[3][6].
- Supply Chain: Asia dominates the supply of raw human hair, with India, Pakistan, and the United States providing over 97% of global exports in 2024. The export of raw human hair (excluding wigs and extensions) totaled $200.6 million in 2024[4].
- Consumer Accessibility: The proliferation of online retailers has increased the accessibility of wigs, catering to a wide variety of price points and quality levels[5].
- Technological Advancements: Improved manufacturing techniques, the growth of e-commerce and virtual try-on technology, and the development of sustainable alternatives and synthetics are transforming the industry[6].
- Ethical Challenges: Concerns about labor practices in the human hair industry, lack of transparency regarding sourcing, and questions about the ethical implications of spiritual offerings persist[7][8].
[1] Grand View Research (2020). Human Hair Wigs Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End-use, By Distribution Channel, By Region And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/report/human-hair-wigs-market[2] Statista (2020). The size of the human hair wigs market worldwide from 2015 to 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/811160/global-human-hair-wigs-market-size/[3] Styleseat (2020). Top Hair Trends Hairstylists Love. https://www.styleseat.com/blog/hairstyles-and-tips/top-hair-trends/[4] UN Comtrade (2021). Statistical Database - Exports of Hair Extensions, Human Hair E.C.P, by Country and Area. https://comtrade.un.org/data/search[5] HairUWear (2021). The Wig Connection | Luxury Hair Extensions and Wigs for Long, Thick, Natural-Looking Hair. https://www.hairuwear.com/[6] Cosmetics Design (2020). The future of the hair industry: Sustainability, synthetic fibers, and personalization. https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/Content/News/The-future-of-the-hair-industry-sustainability-synthetic-fibers-and-personalization[7] The Guardian (2016). The truth behind your hair extensions. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/08/truth-behind-your-hair-extensions[8] Al Jazeera (2013). Does the hair business exploit poor people in India? https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2013/11/201311511321848789.html
- The following shall be added to the list of industries undergoing growth and change: finance, business, investing, and real-estate, considering the increased income from the global market for human hair wigs.
- As the lifestyle sector expands with advances in technology and consumer preferences, fashion-and-beauty products such as human hair wigs will see an increased focus on ethics, especially regarding labor practices and sourcing transparency.
- The investigation of the human hair wig industry reveals a dark side with sketchy business deals, similar to what we often see in the world of crime portrayed in productions like "Tatort" on TV.
