Amjad — Shop assistant, Julia Wig Shop, Manchester
By Kaf Blamire Tuesday 1 February, 2011 21:07
Shopping in Manchester is a financially dangerous and physically tiring pastime. Vintage clothing shops, independent record stores and art cafes are all within walking distance of the city’s bustling high street.
Opposite the Night and Day Cafe on Oldham Street, where I stopped to rest my bag laden arms, I spotted a shop called Julia. Through the front window of Julia lines of wig adorned mannequin heads stared blankly back at me across the street like an army of motionless clones. I spoke to wig shop worker, Amjad to find out more about his job and his thoughts about wigs.
Is Julia a real person?
No. It is the shop name.
Where are you from?
I am from India, others here are from Pakistan, Afghanistan and there is one girl from Africa
What made you want to work in the wig business?
It’s a good business. Everyone needs it.
How many different varieties of wigs do you have here?
There are too many varieties, made out of human hair and synthetics.
What is the most popular wig colour?
Black mostly and coloured wigs like red, blue, purple and white.
Where do the wigs come from?
99% comes from China, some from London.
What about the human hair, where does it come from?
I don’t know, we just sell the wigs, but mostly they come from China.
Do you sell other kinds of hair in here, like facial hair?
We sell make up, fake mustaches, beards and fake teeth. (Amjad points to a pair of lone plastic vampire teeth)
Do you think the wigs make people feel better about themselves?
Definitely, that’s why they buy them. Some people have small hair, and they want long hair
Why do you think having longer hair is important?
Girls psychologically want longer hair
What sort of wig would you recommend for me?
A nice long blonde wig.
Do you think I would get more attention that way?
Definitely, you should get extensions, a lot of Europeans get extensions.
Do you like Christmas? – I have noticed there are quite a few Christmas decorations still in the window…
Yeah, we sell double or triple the amount then, Hallowe’en and New Year too.
Being surrounded by wigs all day – do you ever dream about wigs?
Yes, and sometimes I try the wigs on myself. See what looks good. Last year I wore a shortish one at New Years.
