Creating a 1960s wig

alinarads
Dec 1, 2020
8 min read

Updated: Jan 15, 2021

Research into 1960s history:

The 1960s was a vibrant era full of out-there trends and a large development in fashion. Also known as the ‘swinging sixties’ the 1960s was a decade packed with music, fashion, peace and love. The 3 categories of subculture were: Mod, Rocker or hippie.

The Mods, from the term ‘Modernist’ ‘were an incredible 1960’s youth sub-culture who shared a common desire to embrace a new found financial and parental freedom and to stand out above the crowd with regards to originality in fashion, music and social status’ (Mods shaping a generation, ND) The mods embraced everything from trendy scooters to bold primary coloured clothing.

Figure 1

‘The hippies, whose drugs of choice were marijuana and LSD, favoured exotic, colourful, psychedelic styles. Hippy hair was long and wild. Their dances were free-form, and the strains of the sitar floated like incense into their music.’ (Steele V, ND, pg.70) 60s Hippies believed in free love, communal lifestyles and experimentation with drugs. Living a clean lifestyle, hippie fashion consisted of sandals and caftans with everything decorated with flowers as a sign of peace and love. The hippies contributed to the large movement of flower power.

Figure 2, 3, 4 & 5

‘Rockers as a subculture was mostly young men who rode motorcycles, wore leather, and used a lot of hair product, eventually coining the term “greasers”. As the name would suggest, they listened to a lot of imported American Rock n’ Roll, and in fact, even groups such as the Beatles, who were influenced by the same music and culture, started with this aesthetic before adopting their more-famous look. Contrary to popular belief, Rockers were also initially against recreational drug use.’ (Rabon J, 2015)

Figure 6 & 7

When given a script for a 1960s production it is important to know the differences between each subculture. Depending on the character description it is important that they are in the correct sub-culture for their age group and personality.

Influential people of the 60s:

Twiggy

Lesley Lawson otherwise known as ‘Twiggy’ is an English model, actress and singer. She was a cultural icon inspiring British teen throughout the 60s. Her style mainly consisted of loose box shaped dresses and was the face of the mini skirt. Her boyish haircut and accentuated doe eyes combined with her fashion of primary colours made her an accurate representation of the Mod subculture.

Figure 8, 9 & 10

Cher

The American singer and actress became a 1960s icon with her then husband Sonny Bono as a husband-wife duo singing folk rock. ‘Thrown out of London Hilton for their unconventional outfits – which were neither mod not rocker, nor often seemed more suitable for cave-dwelling. Sonny and Cher became stars overnight in the United Kingdom.’ (Wills D, 2017)

Cher had an iconic look throughout her fame including a uni-sex style, with bright classic 60s style: bootleg trousers, satin blouses and bold patterns alongside her pin straight black hair.

Figure 11 & 12

Audrey Hepburn

The British Actress and fashion icon was featured in iconic films such as ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ represented the class and sophistication of the 1960s. Dressed by many designers Hepburn was an icon of the 60s wearing bold, structured, tailor made dresses with multiple accessories such as sunglasses, heavily jewelled necklaces and hats.

Figure 13, 14 & 15

1960s Fashion:

1960s fashion contained a variety of textures, fabrics and designs from satin blouses, bootleg trousers and the mini skirt ‘the mini skirt was worn most effectively by the very young. Teamed with a geometric black-and-white Op Art patterns, the mini became an essential part of the developing mod girl image and quickly spread around the world.’ (Connikie Y, pg.42, 2007)

Figure 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20

Hairstyles of the 60s:

The 1960s had a wide range of hairstyles from the 1920s inspired, Twiggy’s short, sleek boyish haircut, to extremely feminine high-volume hair worn by housewives. The hippies and rocker subculture also had widely different hair styles from minimal and natural to heavy product and height.

Figure 21 - 28

1960s Interpretation in film and television:

Hairspray - Film 2007

Set in 1960s

John Travolta as Edna

Nikki Blonsky as Tracy

Brittney Snow as Amber

Wig builder = Stacey Butterworth

Figure 29 & 30

American Horror story – Asylum, FX 2012-2013

Set in 1964

Sarah Paulson as Lana winters

Jessica Lange as Sister Jude Martin

Figure 31, 32 & 33

The Help, 2011

Set in 1963

Hair department head = Camille Friend

Figure 34 & 35

From the examples above it is evident that the hair and makeup designers opt for the large voluminous hair which is a classic feminine style that suits a lot of actresses. Either using the actress’ natural hair or a wig, the look can be easily achieved with lots of product and backcombing. For makeup in industry a more natural approach is taken to flatter the actresses and for continuity purposes.

Creating a 1960s wig:

Figure 36 & 37

To start the 1960s set, the hair is sectioned into a thick fringe part at the front of the hair which is pin-curled and stretched across the side of the wig block. Two sections behind the fringe are placed into a traditional brick set with brown flocked rollers.

Figure 38, 39 & 40

The back of the hair is parted into a middle part, with the left side placed into vertical rollers rolling towards the middle of the head. The right side is also rolled inwards vertically, This insures the hair is following the right direction and is smooth when placed into the vertical roll later.

Figure 41, 42 & 43

Once the rollers are removed, the hair is brushed through ready for the vertical roll. Due to the wig having less hair at the back, a small section of hair is used to create anchoring points for the vertical roll. This is done by crossing over hair clips up the hair.

Figure 44, 45 & 46

The hair is smoothed up into two vertical rolls that meet in the centre, with vertical rolls being one of the student’s weaknesses the hair is not as smooth as it could be. Comparing the two sides it is evident that the left side is more polished with less gaps in the hair compared to the right side. Once the vertical rolls were in place, large pin curls are formed and pinned into place temporarily.

Figure 47 & 48

The front sections of hair are taken out of the rollers and made into a 'bouffant' with the excess pieces of hair placed into extra pin curls. The front fringe section is swooped back to join the rest of the hair. The hairstyle is secured with Got2Be Glued hairspray which is available from the following link: https://www.boots.com/schwarzkopf-got2b-glued-blasting-freeze-spray-300ml-10117367?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc-_-PLAs_HeroCompare-_-GB:Whoop+Schwarzkopf-_-Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Beauty+-+Desktop&gclid=CjwKCAiA_9r_BRBZEiwAHZ_v11l_ZwfJOE14glgoLn8QD54BXWejNRMqUh0-bzZHgX64Z3okZi7N7xoCZWwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds . This hairspray makes sure the hair is set solid without the use of hair pins.

Final images:

Figure 49 & 50

Figure 51, 52, 53 & 54

In reflection to the finished 1960s wig, the student is extremely happy with the results due to having a hard time with the 1950s and 1930s wigs. By taking more time with the set and dress the student's outcome was more successful than the previous wigs done. Although the wig is neat, small areas such as the left side next to the bouffant, has a small visible bald patch which would not pass in the industry. The bouffant at the front of hair could also have a more even and smoother to create a more flattering shape.

Applied 60s wig and makeup:

Figure 55 & 56

Reflection:

In reflection to the applied final look, the wig suits the student and look as good as it did on block, even though the human hair wig is slightly small, the student disguised it with the head scarf accessory. In comparison to the industry examples earlier, the makeup is slightly heavy for the look as most 'housewife' characters would wear a similar hair but with minimal makeup. This eye makeup would suit a more mod sleek look.

Comparison:

Figure 49 & 30

In comparison to an industry example figure 30, the students work is clean and has the same structure, although the industry example looks a lot more polished and glossy the students attempt is a good example that can easily be cleaned up with practice .

Extra look:

Figure 57 & 58

Simple modernised hair and makeup look

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References:

Rabon, J (2015) 1960’S BRITAIN: ROCKERS VS MODS – BATTLE OF THE SUBCULTURES AND MORAL PANIC https://www.anglotopia.net/british-identity/rockers-vs-mods-battle-subcultures-moral-panic/ [Accessed 30/12/20]

Steele V (ND) Fifty years of fashion new look to now. New York, Yale university press

Mod shaping a generation (ND) Who were the mods? http://shapingageneration.co.uk/who-were-the-mods/ [Accessed 29/12/20]

Wills D (2017) Switched On : women who revolutionized style in the 60s. Weldon Owen

Connikie Y, 2007 Fashions of a decade the 1960s. New York, info base

Figures:

Figure 1

Mod shaping a generation (ND) [Image : Internet] Who were the mods? http://shapingageneration.co.uk/who-were-the-mods/ [Accessed 29/12/20]

Figure 2

Book : Fashions of a decade, the 1960s. Connikie Y (2007) Flower Power goes high-fashion [Image] New York, Info base publishing

Figure 3

Book : Fifty Years of fashion – new look to now. Steele V (ND) Hippie fashion [Image] New York, Yale University press

Figure 4

Book : Fifty Years of fashion – new look to now. Steele V (ND) Los Angeles love-in 1967 [Image] New York, Yale University press

Figure 5

Book : Fifty Years of fashion – new look to now. Steele V (ND) British lovin 1967 [Image] New York, Yale University press

Figure 6

(Pinterest (ND) teddy ladies 1962 [Image : Internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/361554676307525727/ [Accessed 29/12/20]

Figure 7

(Mototbike writer (ND) [image : internet] https://motorbikewriter.com/59-club-attracts-rocker-motorcyclists/ [Accessed 29/12/20]

Figure 8

Book : Fashion Photography The story in 180 pictures. Wolff D (2017) Twiggy 1967 [Image] London, Thames & Hudson

Figure 9

Book : Fashions of a decade, the 1960s. Connikie Y (2007) Twiggy – supermodel for the mini skirt [Image] New York, Info base publishing

Figure 10

Book : Fifty Years of fashion – new look to now. Steele V (ND) Twiggy in 1966 [Image] New York, Yale University press

Figure 11

Book : Switched on, Women who revolutionized style in the 60’s. Wills D (2017) Cher [Image] San Francisco, Weldon Owen

Figure 12

Book : Switched on, Women who revolutionized style in the 60’s. Wills D (2017) Cher [Image] San Francisco, Weldon Owen

Figure 13

Book : Switched on, Women who revolutionized style in the 60’s. Wills D (2017) Audrey Hepburn [Image] San Francisco, Weldon Owen

Figure 14

Book : Switched on, Women who revolutionized style in the 60’s. Wills D (2017) Audrey Hepburn [Image] San Francisco, Weldon Owen

Figure 15

Book : Switched on, Women who revolutionized style in the 60’s. Wills D (2017) Audrey Hepburn [Image] San Francisco, Weldon Owen

Figure 16

(Harpers Bazaar, 2020) The Best 1960s Fashion Moments That Continue to Inspire Today [Image : internet] harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g10201919/60s-fashion-trends/ [Accessed 01/01/21]

Figure 17

(Snippit of history (ND) Mini skirts forever - protest outside the house of dior - 1966 [Image : internet] https://snippetofhistory.wordpress.com/portfolio/mini-skirts-forever-protest-outside-the-house-of-dior-1966/ [Accessed 01/01/21]

Figure 18

(Amazon (ND) Cher and Sonny psychedelic outfit [image : internet] https://www.amazon.com/Colorful-hippie-psychedelic-fashion-Aluminum/dp/B07T9K94VT [accessed 01/01/21]

Figure 19

Vogue (1960) dress advertisment [image] April 1960 2/6 pg.87

Figure 20

Vogue (1960) knitwear advertisment [image] April 1960 2/6 pg.134

Figure 21

Book : Timeless beauty icons 1900-2010. Pissimiglia R (ND) 1960s [Image] Italy, Edizioni Esav

Figure 22

Book : Timeless beauty icons 1900-2010. Pissimiglia R (ND) 1960s [Image] Italy, Edizioni Esav

Figure 23

Book : Timeless beauty icons 1900-2010. Pissimiglia R (ND) 1960s [Image] Italy, Edizioni Esav

Figure 24

(Pinterest, ND) 1960s bubble flip [Image : Internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/804877764627719174/ [Accessed 02/12/20]

Figure 25

(Stylezco, ND) 1960s hairstyles for women [Image : Internet] https://www.stylezco.com/1960s-hairstyles-women/ [Accessed 02/12/20]

Figure 26

(Instyle, 2015) Priscilla Presley [Image : Internet] https://www.instyle.com/news/priscilla-presley-hairstyles [Accessed 02/12/20]

Figure 27

(Boredpanda, 2016) Woodstock 1969 [Image : Internet] https://www.boredpanda.com/woodstock-women-fashion-1969/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic [Accessed 02/12/20]

Figure 28

(Hairstyles123, ND) 1960s afro hairstyle [Image : Internet] http://www.hairstyles123.com/hairstyles/afro-hairstyles/ [Accessed 02/12/20]

Figure 29

(Bustle, 2015) Hairpray 2007, [Image : Internet] https://www.bustle.com/articles/99859-7-lessons-mr-pinky-the-hefty-hideaway-from-hairspray-could-teach-modern-retailers [Accessed [02/12/20]

Figure 30

(Insider, 2020) Hairspray 13 years later where are the cast now? [Image : internet] https://www.insider.com/hairspray-cast-then-and-now-photos [Accessed 02/12/20]