Behind the Scenes
What truly separates a premium, bespoke wig from mass-produced alternatives? The answer lies in hundreds of meticulous decisions and thousands of precise movements that occur long before a client ever sees the final piece.
At The Identity House, we believe in transparency—not just in our sourcing practices, but in our creation process. Today, we invite you behind the curtain to witness the journey from raw material to finished piece.
The Foundation: More Than Just a Base
Every exceptional wig begins with its foundation—the structure upon which everything else depends. Far from being a simple cap, a properly engineered foundation is a sophisticated piece of technical design:
Material Selection: Each foundation material offers different benefits. Lace provides breathability and a natural appearance but requires reinforcement for longevity. Monofilament creates the illusion of hair growing directly from the scalp but needs strategic placement for comfort. Silk gives a flawless finish but requires expert handling.
Individual Measurement: No two heads are identical. We take detailed measurements to create a foundation that fits perfectly—neither too tight (causing discomfort) nor too loose (compromising security).
Tension Mapping: Different areas of the scalp have different sensitivities and movement patterns. Our foundations incorporate varied tension points that accommodate natural movement while maintaining security.
Strategic Reinforcement: The science of predicting stress points allows us to reinforce areas that will experience the most friction, significantly extending the lifespan of each piece.
The Art of Ventilation
The term "ventilation" in wig making refers to the process of knotting individual hairs into the foundation—the technical heart of our craft:
Direction Mapping: Natural hair doesn't grow in a uniform direction. Our ventilation mimics the natural growth patterns of human hair, creating authentic movement that mass-produced pieces simply cannot achieve.
Density Graduation: Hair density varies across the scalp. We meticulously graduate the density of each section, creating natural-looking areas of higher and lower concentration.
Knotting Technique Selection: Different knot styles create different effects. Single knots offer the most natural appearance but require more time and skill. Double knots provide durability in less visible areas. Split knots create the illusion of hair growing directly from the scalp.
Hairline Architecture: The front hairline receives our most detailed attention, with individually placed hairs creating a gradually increasing density that defies detection even up close.
Material Handling: The Science of Hair
Working with human hair is both an art and a science, requiring deep understanding of its structure and behaviour:
Cuticle Direction Alignment: Every strand of hair has a cuticle layer that must be preserved and aligned in the same direction to prevent tangling and maintain natural shine.
Colour Matching Complexity: Creating a perfectly matched colour often involves blending multiple shades of hair to achieve dimension and depth that reflects how natural hair captures light.
Texture Preservation: Different textures require different handling techniques to maintain their natural character while ensuring longevity.
Processing Restraint: Unlike much commercial hair, we use minimal chemical processing, preserving the hair's natural integrity and ensuring it behaves predictably for both initial styling and future colour work.
The Construction Timeline
Quality cannot be rushed. A fully hand-tied, custom wig typically involves a significant investment of time across multiple stages:
Foundation Creation: Careful preparation of the base structure Ventilation: The meticulous process of knotting hair into the foundation Cutting and Styling: Shaping the piece to suit the individual Quality Control: Final adjustments and refinements
This timeline doesn't include consultation, measurement sessions, or the sourcing of specific hair types for individual projects—all essential components of creating a truly bespoke piece.
Beyond Creation: The Finishing Details
The final stages of creation involve the details that transform a well-made wig into an exceptional one:
Edge Refinement: The perimeter of the wig receives special attention to ensure it blends seamlessly with the client's skin tone and texture.
Movement Testing: Each piece undergoes movement testing to ensure it behaves naturally under various conditions.
Styling Calibration: The cut and style are refined to complement the client's facial structure and personal style.
The Unseen Value
Many of the most important aspects of our work remain invisible to the untrained eye—yet they're what create the profound difference between an ordinary hairpiece and one from The Identity House:
Problem Anticipation: Years of experience allow us to foresee and prevent issues before they occur.
Adaptive Techniques: Each piece benefits from techniques adapted specifically to its unique requirements.
Continual Innovation: Our methods constantly evolve as we incorporate new materials, tools, and approaches from across the professional spectrum.
Documentation: Every piece comes with a detailed record of its construction, materials, and care requirements, ensuring its longevity.
When you invest in a bespoke piece from The Identity House, you're not simply purchasing hair on a foundation. You're acquiring hundreds of hours of expert decision-making, thousands of precise hand movements, and decades of combined experience—all focused on creating something uniquely suited to you.
Because true luxury isn't about what everyone can see; it's about the details only you will ever know are there.
Interested in experiencing the difference our bespoke process makes? Contact us at contact@theidentityhouse.com or follow our creative journey on Instagram @theidentityhouse.
