Celebrity wig maker opens Witney hair clinic after family illness

May 05, 2023

A wig maker to the stars is using her specialist skills to help people cope with the effects of cancer treatment after experiencing health crises in her own family.

Rachel Queiroz pivoted from a long career in the entertainment industry to open a clinic offering hand-made, human hair wigs and hairpieces after two family members fell ill during Covid.

She said: "It's a salon with a difference - it's for people with hair loss or going through chemotherapy treatment. We make custom hair pieces and wigs by hand using European hair.

"As I am a wig maker everything from the base and up is decided upon by our clients. It's a private, welcoming and safe space for people to come to visit on a one-to-one basis for wigs, hairpieces or a haircut."

Ms Querioz said lots of ladies have been kindly donating their hair to her and she then lets them know when it is being used.

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She also has hair merchants in Paris and Kent who source the hair which is mainly Spanish and Italian as it is close to British hair texture - "fine with a natural wave", she said.

"We all have different textured hair so I source the same texture as my clients to replicate the hair perfectly," she said.

Ms Querioz worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years in theatre, TV and film making, styling wigs for celebrities and actors.

She started out as a wig maker and stylist in the theatre in 2001, and worked on many West End shows and touring theatre shows such as Dirty Dancing, Joseph And His Technicolour Dream Coat and 42nd Street.

She then moved into TV and film and has worked on productions such as Call the Midwife, The Witcher, Bridgerton, and the movie My Policeman starring Harry Styles.

Her career took a new turn when during Covid a family member sadly was diagnosed with a brain tumour and another with hair loss.

She explained: "During lockdown a family member suffered a stroke and went into a coma where the doctors found a brain tumour.

"When they awoke and knew they had to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy they were mostly worried about their hair and scarring where the hair wouldn't be able to grow back.

"Our hair is our identity and it's as though that's taken away from us when undergoing treatment.

"Sadly, the NHS only offer synthetic wigs at the hospital, which although better than they used to be, all tend to have a slight shine to them and need a lot of hair cutting out in order to look natural.

"I then realised there was a lack of support in the area for people to go to for help with wigs and hairpieces as it can be such a traumatic and difficult time for them to go through.

"This is why I decided I needed to help my local community, using my wig making skills for private personal use.

"Being able to make custom bespoke wigs or hairpieces of any shape and size - even small pieces to cover scars for people who wouldn't need a full wig."

She added: "My mother has thinning hair and hair loss at her hairline and parting after the menopause which is very common. But again, there is nowhere for her to go for help and advice with regards to hairpieces and wigs that would blend in with her own hair.

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"Many clients come to me with bags of wigs they have bought online all of which they are not happy with. They must spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds on them.

"We offer bespoke wigs, toppers and hairpieces custom made by taking a mould of each client's head shape so the wig/hairpiece fits like a glove and is comfortable.

" I'm offering a friendly 1-1 service where clients can come in to the studio for a consultation either for a bespoke piece or a ready made wig to try on, and I cut and style it to personalise for them for an extremely natural look that leaves them gleaming with confidence again."

Cotswold Hair Clinic is at 44 Market Square in Witney.

This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: [email protected]. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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