Wig
233763
226006570
2008-07-16T12:22:01Z
77.107.81.26
/* Current usage */
{{Missing information|current use, styles, popularity|date=May 2008}}
{{otheruses|wig (disambiguation)}}
[[Image:Wigs on display.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Modern wigs on display.]]
A '''wig''' is a head of [[hair]] made from horse-hair, human hair, wool, feathers, buffalo hair, or synthetic, worn on the head for fashion or various other aesthetic and stylistic reasons, including cultural and religious observance. The word wig is short for '''periwig''' and first appeared in the [[English language]] around 1675.
Some people wear wigs to disguise the fact that they are [[baldness|bald]]. [[Actor]]s, on the other hand often wear costume wigs in order to better portray the [[fictional character|character]] they are playing.
==History==
[[Image:De Vermont-Largilliere.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Nicolas de Vermont]]
[[Image:William Hogarth 004.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[William Hogarth]]: ''[[The Bench (Hogarth)|The Bench]]'', 1758]]
Wigs have seemingly been worn throughout history, even on the genitals (see [[merkin]]); the [[Ancient Egypt|ancient]] [[Egyptians]], for instance, wore them to shield their hairless heads from the sun. Other ancient peoples, including the [[Assyrians]], [[Phoenicians]], [[Ancient Greeks|Greeks]] and [[ancient Rome|Romans]], also used wigs. Curiously, they are principally a Western form of dress — in the [[Far East]] they have rarely been used except in the traditional [[theatre]] of [[China]] and [[Japan]]. Some East Asian entertainers (Japanese [[Geisha]], Korean [[Kisaeng]]) wore wigs ([[Katsura]] and [[gache]] respectively) as part of their traditional costumes.
After the [[fall of the Roman Empire]], the use of wigs fell into abeyance in the West for a thousand years until revived in the 16th century as a means of compensating for hair loss or improving one's personal appearance. They also served a practical purpose: the unhygienic conditions of the time meant that hair attracted [[head lice]], a problem that could be much reduced if natural hair were shaved and replaced with a more easily de-loused artificial hairpiece. Fur hoods were also used in a similar preventative fashion.
[[Image:Elizabeth I (Armada Portrait).jpg|right|thumb|175px|Queen [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]], pictured in 1588.]]
Royal patronage was crucial to the revival of the wig. Queen [[Elizabeth I of England]] famously wore a red wig, tightly and elaborately curled in a "Roman" style while King [[Louis XIII of France]] (1601-1643) and King [[Louis XIV of France]] (1638-1715) pioneered wig-wearing among men from the 1620s onwards.
King [[Louis XIV of France]] was also popularly known as The Sun King (in French Le Roi Soleil). During his reign he build the [[Château de Versailles]], a large and extravagant royal residence and moved there the court life from [[Paris]]. He created an elaborate court style at [[Versailles]]. King [[Louis XIV]] was dictating men's fashion at the time with his sophisticated style, and his exuberant taste for luxury. <ref>[Das große Bilderlexikon der Mode – Vom Altertum zur Gegenwart, Artia Verlag, Prag 1966]</ref>
Perukes or periwigs for men were introduced into the English-speaking world with other [[France|French]] styles when [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] was restored to the throne in 1660, following a lengthy exile in France. These wigs were shoulder-length or longer, imitating the long hair that had become fashionable among men since the 1620s. Their use soon became popular in the English court. The London diarist [[Samuel Pepys]] recorded the day in 1665 that a [[barber]] had shaved his head and that he tried on his new periwig for the first time, but in a year of [[Black Death|plague]] he was uneasy about wearing it:
:''"[[September 3|3rd September]] 1665: Up, and put on my coloured [[silk]] suit, very fine, and my new periwig, bought a good while since, but darst not wear it because the plague was in [[Westminster]] when I bought it. And it is a wonder what will be the fashion after the plague is done as to periwigs, for nobody will dare to buy any haire for fear of the infection? that it had been cut off the heads of people dead of the plague."''
Wigs were not without other drawbacks, as Pepys noted on [[27 March]] [[1667]]:
:''"I did go to the Swan; and there sent for Jervas my old periwig-maker and he did bring me a periwig; but it was full of [[Head louse|nit]]s, so as I was troubled to see it (it being his old fault) and did send him to make it clean."''
With wigs becoming virtually obligatory garb for men of virtually any significant social rank, wigmakers gained considerable prestige. A wigmakers' guild was established in France in 1665, a development soon copied elsewhere in Europe. Their job was a skilled one as 17th century wigs were extraordinarily elaborate, covering the back and shoulders and flowing down the chest; not surprisingly, they were also extremely heavy and often uncomfortable to wear. Such wigs were expensive to produce. The best examples were made from natural human hair. The hair of horses and goats was often used as a cheaper alternative.
In the 18th century, both men and women's wigs were powdered in order to give them their distinctive white or off-white color. Wig powder was made from finely ground [[starch]] that was scented with orange flower, [[lavender]], or [[orris root]]. Wig powder was occasionally colored violet, blue, pink or yellow, but was most often used as white. Powdered wigs became an essential for full dress occasions and continued in use until almost the end of the 18th century. Powdering wigs was messy and inconvenient and the development of the naturally white or off-white powderless wig (made of horsehair) is no doubt what has made the retention of wigs in everyday [[court dress]] a practical possibility. By the 1780s, young men were setting a fashion trend by lightly powdering their natural hair. After 1790, both wigs and powder were reserved for older more conservative men, and were in use by ladies being presented at court. In 1795, the English government levied a tax of hair powder of one guinea per year. This tax effectively caused the demise of both the fashion for wigs and powder by 1800.
[[Image:Marie-Antoinette; koningin der Fransen.jpg|thumb|[[Marie Antionette]] wearing the distinctive ''pouf'' style wig.]]
Among women in the French court of [[Versailles]] in the mid-to-late 18th century, large, elaborate and often themed (such as the stereotypical "boat wigs") were in vogue for women. These wigs were often very heavy, weighted down with pomades, powders, and other ornamentation. In the late 18th century these wigs (along with many other indulgences in court life) became symbolic of the decadence of the French nobility, which only helped to fuel the [[French Revolution]].
During the 18th century, men's wigs became smaller and more formal with several professions adopting them as part of their official costumes. This tradition survives in a few legal systems. They are routinely worn in various countries of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. Until 1823, [[bishop]]s of the [[Church of England]] and [[Church of Ireland]] wore ceremonial wigs. The wigs worn by barristers are in the style favoured in the late eighteenth century. Judges' wigs are, in everyday use as [[court dress]], short like barristers' wigs (although in a slightly different style) but for ceremonial occasions judges and also senior barristers (QCs) wear full-bottomed wigs.
The wearing of wigs as a symbol of social status was largely abandoned in the newly created [[United States]] and France by the start of the 19th century, although it persisted a little longer in the United Kingdom.
Women's wigs developed in a somewhat different way. They were worn from the 18th century onwards - although at first only surreptitiously - and full wigs in the 19th and early 20th century were not fashionable. They were often worn by old ladies who had lost their hair. In the film ''[[Mr. Skeffington]]'' (1944), when [[Bette Davis]] has to wear a wig after a bout of [[diphtheria]], it is a moment of pathos and a symbol of her frailty.
== Current usage ==
[[Image:Colourful wigs.jpg|thumb|250px|Colourful wigs for costume parties]]
Today, wigs are worn by many on a daily or occasional basis as a matter of convenience as they can be styled ahead of time and then worn when there is not sufficient time to style one's own hair. They are also worn by individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons (most commonly cancer patients who are undergoing [[chemotherapy]] or those who are suffering from [[alopecia areata]]). In men, the most common cause of baldness is "male-pattern baldness" and this is probably the most common reason for wig-wearing in this group. The post-menopausal diffuse baldness of women, while more common than generally realized, is usually not severe enough to warrant the wearing of a wig.
A number of celebrities, including [[Dolly Parton]] and [[Raquel Welch]] have popularized wigs. [[Cher]] has worn all kinds of wigs in the last 40 years- from blonde to black, and curly to straight. They may also be worn for fun as part of [[fancy dress]] ([[costume]] wearing), when they can be of outlandish colour or made from [[tinsel]]. They are quite common at [[Halloween]], when "rubber wigs" (solid [[bald cap]]-like hats, shaped like hair), are sold at some stores.
Common hair-pieces found in the work place are none more so seen than on the barnet of a certain Mikey Picking. His "nouveau cuisine" style as it is called is reminiscent of Celtic managers of the 80's -namely Gordon Strachan. This style can only really work on head shapes that are over sized and smaller ear types.
In [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|Britain]] and most [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations, special wigs are also worn by [[barrister]]s, [[judge]]s, and certain [[parliament]]ary and municipal or civic officials as a symbol of the office. The original purpose of the legal wig was said to provide a form of anonymity and safety (i.e. disguise). Today, [[Hong Kong]] barristers and judges continue to wear wigs as part of [[court dress]] as an influence from their former jurisdiction of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. In July 2007, judges in [[New South Wales]], Australia voted to discontinue to wearing of wigs in the NSW Court of Appeal. <ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/woolly-headed-not-this-verdict/2007/08/02/1185648038982.html Woolly headed? Not this verdict - National - smh.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In [[Jidaigeki]], a genre of film and television, wigs are used extensively to alter the cast's hair styles to reflect the [[Edo Period]] when most stories take place. Only a few starring in big-budgeted films and television series will grow his or her hair so that it could be cut to a proper hair style instead of using a wig.
Another use seen in modern day society is for men who [[crossdress]] as women, wigs are used to make the men have more feminine hair in all sorts of styles, they wear this along with other 'female' clothing.
Orthodox Jewish religious law ([[Halakha]]) requires married women to cover her hair for reasons of modesty. Some women wear wigs, known as a [[sheitel]], for this purpose.
==Manufacture==
There are two major methods of wig manufacture currently in use, traditional and automated. The traditional method produces finer wigs and is used to produce customized wigs, particularly in film and theatrical productions. Machine made wigs are cheaper and are commonly found for novelty use.
===Measurement===
Customized wigs must begin by taking measurements of the subject's head. Any existing hair is arranged into tight knots against the head and various measurements are taken. Sometimes a copy of the head is made by marking overtop clear plastic wrap placed over the scalp This allows for the marking of the natural hairline. These measurements are then transferred to a ''wigform''.<ref name=howitsmade>{{cite episode
| title = Wigs
| series = How It's Made
| serieslink = How It's Made
| network = Discovery Channel Canada
| season = 6
| seriesno = 6-06
| number = 71
}}</ref>
===Framework===
A product called ''wig lace'' or sometimes ''wig netting'' is placed over the wigform. Wig lace is a fine lace comprised of polygonal cells. It can be made from natural or synthetic fibers. Finer lace is used on the edges to blend imperceptibly into the skin. Heavier lace is used towards the center to provide structual support. The lace is trimmed and sewn into the proper shape.<ref name=howitsmade/><ref name=stagemakeup>{{Cite book | author=Corson, Richard | title=Stage makeup | date=1990 | publisher=Prentice Hall | location=Englewood Cliffs, N.J. | isbn= 9780138405397}}</ref>
===Hair preparation===
Hair used for wigs is assorted by length, color, and source (human, animal, synthetic). The wigmaker selects one or more sources of hair dependant on the intended wig design. The hair is then aligned on a device called a ''[[hackle]]''. This serves straightens the hair so that individual strands may selected quickly and also separates out weaker strands which are left on the hackle. If multiple types of hair are selected, the process also serves to evenly mix the different varieties.<ref name=howitsmade/>
===Ventilation===
The process of tying strands of hair onto the wig lace is known as ''ventilation''. The hair is folded in half so that strands may be plucked from their center. Wigmakers use a tool called a ''wig hook'' to select one or more stands of hair at a time to tie to the lace. The hook is specially bent to facilitate the tying of what is referred to as the ''ventilation knot''. This is effectively the same technique used in the construction of handmade rugs. Because the knot is tied from the midpoint of the strand, the source hair must be at least twice as long as the length of the completed wig; with extra length needed to account for styling. The wigmaker ties the hair onto specific edges of the individual lace cells in order to influence the grain of the wig. In the center of the wig, where high density is needed detail is obfuscated, multiple strands are tied at once. At the edges of the hairline, only one or two strands of hair are applied at a time.<ref name=howitsmade/><ref name=stagemakeup/>
===Styling===
At this point, the hair on the wig is all the same length. The wig must be styled into the desired form in much the same manner as a regular stylist.<ref name=howitsmade/>
===Fitting===
The subject's natural hair is again knotted tightly against the head and the wig is applied. Any remaining superfluous wiglace is trimmed away. Hairpins can be used to secure the lace to the hair and occasionally, skin-safe adhesives are used to adhere the wig against bald skin and to better hide any exposed lace. Finishing touches are done to the hair styling to achieve the desired effect.<ref name=howitsmade/>
==See also==
* [[Hair prosthesis]]
* [[Merkin]]
* [[Toupée]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Wigs]]
[[Category:Judicial clothing]]
[[Category:Hairdressing]]
[[Category:History of clothing (Western fashion)]]
[[Category:History of clothing (Europe)]]
{{Link FA|zh}}
[[cs:Paruka]]
[[de:Perücke]]
[[es:Peluca]]
[[eo:Peruko]]
[[fr:Perruque]]
[[gd:Biorabhaig]]
[[ko:가발]]
[[is:Hárkolla]]
[[it:Parrucca]]
[[he:פאה נוכרית]]
[[nl:Pruik]]
[[ja:かつら (装身具)]]
[[no:Parykk]]
[[nds:Prüük]]
[[pl:Peruka]]
[[pt:Peruca]]
[[scn:Pilucca]]
[[simple:Wig]]
[[sk:Parochňa]]
[[sr:Перика]]
[[fi:Peruukki]]
[[sv:Peruk]]
[[tr:Peruk]]
[[yi:שייטל]]
[[zh:假髮]]