In a spectacular feat of creativity and determination, Nigerian wigmaker Helen Williams has taken the world by storm, crafting the longest handmade wig to date, a stunning achievement that has earned her a coveted spot in the Guinness World Records. The wig measures an astounding 351.28 meters (1,152 ft 5 in).
This epic journey into the world of mega-wig creation took Helen a whopping 11 days and a budget that soared over two million naira (£2,031; $2,493). Helen, armed with creativity and determination, started by constructing the wig’s base using a genius combo of wig-cap netting and black fabric, all securely attached to a bicycle helmet. But she didn’t stop there, She dove into the hair extravaganza, using 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and a staggering 6,250 hair clips to complete the masterpiece.
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Helen, the maestro of wig making, admitted that finding the perfect materials for the longest wig in the world was no cakewalk. Yet, her eight years of wig making prowess became her secret weapon. “My experience as a wigmaker helped a lot,” she shared.
Now, Helen isn’t just a wigmaker; she’s a wig making virtuoso, cranking out between 50 to 300 wigs per week. She’s also been the guiding force for hundreds of students, imparting her wig wisdom and making thousands of wigs over the years.
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But creating this record-breaking wig wasn’t a walk in the park for Helen. There were moments when exhaustion crept in, threatening to throw a strand-shaped wrench into the works. However, fuelled by the cheers of friends and family, Helen powered through.
“I did not want to let them down, so I maintained my focus. The outcome is the longest handmade wig in the world,” she exclaimed.
Now, let’s talk challenges. Helen faced the ultimate wig-making puzzle – finding a place to lay out her creation for the crucial measurement. Traditional venues like running tracks fell short, leaving Helen in a hair bind. She decided to showcase her record-breaking wig beside the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, a sprawling road connecting the bustling cities of Lagos and Abeokuta, solidifying her Guinness World Record achievement.
So, where does this hair masterpiece reside now? Helen proudly keeps it in her office, extending an open invitation for anyone keen to marvel at the record-breaking glory “whenever they want to.”
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Growing up with the annual Guinness World Records book as her muse, Helen is now living her wildest dreams. “It will take a while for me to digest,” she confessed. “This achievement is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I still cannot believe it.“
Guinness World Record for hair
- The world’s widest wig was made by Dani Reynolds (Australia) and measures 2.58 metres (8ft 6in)
- The world’s tallest wig was made by Emillio Minnicelli (Italy) and measures 14.3 metres (46ft 11in) tall.
- The world’s longest hair extention was made by Nikola Kulezic (Serbia) and measures 820.29 metres (2691ft 3in).