In Lagos, Nigeria, Helen Williams, an accomplished wigmaker with eight years of experience, has earned a spot in the Guinness World Records for crafting the longest handmade wig. Stretching an impressive 351.28 meters (1,152 ft 5 in), the record-breaking wig was meticulously created over 11 days, costing over N200,000 (£2,031; $2,493).
Helen, known for producing 50 to 300 wigs weekly, constructed the wig’s foundation with wig-cap netting and black fabric attached to a bicycle helmet. The elaborate hairpiece required 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips.
Despite her wigmaking expertise, Helen encountered challenges in sourcing materials for the colossal wig. The major hurdle, however, was finding a suitable venue for laying out the wig in a straight line and accurately measuring it. No venue, including various running tracks, proved long enough. Undeterred, Helen chose the expansive Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway to accomplish this feat.
Guinness World Records acknowledged her achievement, emphasizing the remarkable dedication and creativity exhibited by Helen Williams in setting a new standard for handmade wigs.
