Vivian has been performing for nearly 10 years dazzling audiences all across Canada and the world. Featured on of Canada’s Drag Race S3 she brought her love for vintage styles and big hair to the universe.
Vivian began her hair styling journey alongside her drag.
“I started my drag on Vancouver Island at a time where there weren’t people to style your wigs or create your costumes so I learned how to do it myself. Being self sufficient is the best thing that ever happened to my drag.”
Self taught, Vivian looked to vintage stars of the past, parsing out how their hair sculptures were crafted.
“Trying to figure out how a hairstyle is put together felt like a puzzle to me. Often there were misses but I created a lot of bizarre hairstyles as a result of experimenting. Like any art form you have to make a lot of ugly art before you make something gorgeous.”
With a focus on self sufficiency, Vivian found that spending money for money's sake was never the route but having the right tools made all the difference. Investing in high quality styling tools, products and wigs could be one of creativity and joy rather than frustration (not that It's always a walk in the park.)
“I am glad I struggled with cheap wig for a long time because it taught me how to be innovative and work with what I had. Now working with wigs that are deliciously dense with high quality fibres makes wig styling a dream. Allowing me to spend less time fighting the wig and more time projecting my vision onto it.”
Especially at the beginning of her hair journey Vivian would be the one wearing and performing in her creations, teaching her how to make wigs that were glamorous enough for photos and tough enough for performance.
“It’s a line that you dance around making wigs that have movement, project a character and look effortless while also making them last as long as possible for the performers I’m sending them out to. I am a big believer in artists having the resources that they need to feel confident in wig maintenance and after-care so I always leave the door open for advice to my customers. I learned so much from the generosity of others sharing their knowledge so I try to pass that along and it keeps my creations looking fab!”
Vivian’s favourite wig styles are heavily inspired by the past.
“There is such a huge catalogue of references in history of fantastic hair. My favourite kind of commission is when someone sends me a picture of an actual person for reference rather than someone else’s wig block.”
A lover of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Vivian’s style ranges from sculptural pinup to larger than life monstrosities.
“When on stage or creating a wig, more volume is always better!”
Some of Vivian’s favourite wig creations have been a three foot tall beehive fastened onto a motorcycle helmet that hid a disco ball, A Lydia Deets wig that when lifted revealed a huge quaffed Beetlejuice wig and a super-elongated 1950’s elephant tail inspired bouffant.
Vivian styles wig for Drag Kings, Queens and burlesque performers.
“ I definitely get more commissions from femme performers but I love making masculine hairstyles as well pulling from the many campy “men’s” styles of the past. Hair and gender expression are so fun to play with.”
Vivian utilizes both our lace front and hard front wigs.
“There is so much value in a hard front. Many styles can be achieved with one and the ease of popping one on and becoming someone else is just magical. I feel like people sometimes have a negative connotation when it comes to Hard Fronts but the versatility and quality of How’s Your Head’s is unmatched. There’s also something to be said about a lot of performers looking better with a bang.”
Vivian has styled wigs for Jaylene Tyme, PM, Jimbo, BBNO$, Yung Gravy, had many hats grace the stage of Canada’s Drag Race and created for stars all across North America.
If you dream of hair that will take you to new heights follow Vivian Vanderpuss on her instagram @VivianVanderpuss where she posts ready to wear wigs and is open to commissions.