Nigerian Helen Williams has set a new world record for the longest handmade wig, according to the Guinness World Records. The achievement took place in Lagos, where she created a wig measuring 351.28 meters (1,152 ft 5 in). The process involved 11 days of work and a cost of over two million naira (£2,031; $2,493). Williams constructed the wig using a wig-cap netting underlay and black fabric attached to a bicycle helmet. The completed hairpiece utilized 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips.
Helen Williams, a professional wigmaker for the past eight years, typically produces between 50 to 300 wigs weekly. Despite her extensive experience, setting a world record was a challenging task that took dedication and effort. Williams acknowledged feeling exhausted at times but was motivated by the support of friends and family. The record-breaking wig was crafted beside the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, a route connecting Ogun and Lagos State.
This achievement by Helen Williams coincides with a year that saw another Nigerian, chef Hilda Baci, set a record for the longest cooking marathon. However, Baci’s record was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher.
Helen Williams from Lagos, Nigeria has achieved a new record for the longest handmade wig which stretches an incredible 351.28 metres (1,152 ft 5 in) 👏 pic.twitter.com/gwGdqjF8Wp
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) November 14, 2023