The Wig: A Hairbrained History

A witty, eloquent, curious history of the wig.
Whether in a court room or a dressing room, wigs come in many forms, & represent many things: from power, to sexuality, to parody, to health, to self-identity, to disguise. Wigs are present at parties & in chemotherapy rooms, in pop music & contemporary art. In this witty & eloquent book, Luigi Amara reflects on the curious history of the wig, & along the way takes a sideways look at Western civilization.
Amara illuminates how the wig has starred throughout history, from ancient Egypt to the court of Louis XIV, & from British courtrooms to drag shows today. Containing many striking & unusual images, the book appeals to a wide audience, from those interested in the history of fashion to philosophy, art, culture & aesthetics.
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'[Explores] the wig’s silly, sexy, & serious strains in a collection of fanciful short essays . . . It’s clear that for Amara, the wig is an excuse to ponder, wander, & lose himself to flights of fancy. ' – Hyperallergic
'The Wig: A Hairbrained History covers the many topics connected to these artificial hairdos. Armara transmits his fascination for the wig not only through the written word, but also through an array of images. By exploring this subject through the lens of numerous novels & films, including characters from both ancient & contemporary times, Amara tackles this neglected fashion element with very diverse references . . . this study is well written. With this book, the author demonstrates real passion for his subject. The variety of sources covered is especially relevant . . . an interesting enquiry & gives an overall picture of the long & multi faceted story of the wig. ' – The Journal of Dress History
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Luigi Amara is the author of many poetry collections, essays & children’s books, including Nu)n(ca (winner of the International Poetry Prize in Spanish), & The School of Boredom.