Buzz
Styling your pets can be challenging unless they’re comfortable with a lion cut. However, actress Leisha Hailey (The L Word) has revolutionized pet fashion with her company, Petwigs, offering charming and trendy wigs for your furry friends.
In an email to mental_floss, Hailey shared that the idea struck her 12 years ago. While pet costumes were popular, the wigs to complement them were scarce. “There weren’t any pet wigs easily accessible, nor did they offer a variety of colors and styles,” she explains. She partnered with Melissa Carbone of Ten Thirty One Productions to bring Petwigs to life, later joined by Regina Carpinelli and Sofu Snow.
Despite having no prior wig design experience, Hailey’s background as a musician in her 20s, influenced by drag queens in the East Village, proved invaluable. Her band performed at the Pyramid Club, where she learned the art of transformation through creativity and humor. “It has to be impeccably crafted with a touch of wit,” she says. “That’s my vision for Petwigs: elegant, timeless styles that bring laughter when worn by animals.”
The "Party in the Back" wig. Image credit: Petwigs.com.
To create the wigs, Hailey and her team consulted Hollywood wig experts. They developed a sizing system using a net base, available in Small, Medium, and Large. “The base fits snugly between your pet’s ears, with the hair flowing around them, creating the perfect look,” Hailey explains.
They then designed a strap and clasp system to ensure the wigs stay secure yet are easy to remove, without causing discomfort. “We tested the straps with pets belonging to friends to refine the design,” Hailey notes. “After multiple trials, we finalized the most effective system.”
Prototypes of the wigs were crafted next, with each piece taking approximately a day to complete. Synthetic hair was chosen for its ability to maintain shape and style. “The styling process was detailed and precise,” Hailey says. “Our goal is to make each wig look like your pet just stepped out of a high-end salon.”
The "Headbanger" wig. Image credit: Petwigs.com.
Selecting the styles for Petwigs’ debut collection was a top priority. “Our Original Collection features the most iconic hairstyles from past decades,” Hailey explains. “We aim to stay current and continuously update our offerings with evolving trends.”
