Los Angeles Times
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Richard Farrell: He's on the front line of the hairline battle.
He is the best secret-keeper in the Westside.
UNDER WRAPS
While he is thought to be a master at his trade, few will admit to seeking his expertise:
Hair Replacements.
Roughly a third of Farrell's clients are male television and movie actors, many of whom
are still in their 20s and 30s.
"It would blow you away to know who some of the people are who come here you would
never suspect. No one knows they have one," says Farrell, who works out of his West
Hollywood salon. "Sometimes we have to coordinate our appointments so people don't
pass each other in the hall. Some will park their car two blocks away so no one knows
they're here."
At Farrell's salon, each client is even safely hidden behind a curtain.
"People have preconceived ideas about hairpieces and most of the time, they're
right," he said. "And I've also seen bad surgeries where people have strips
taken off the back and put on the front horrible. The key is for it to be undetectable
under close scrutiny."
A HAIRY SITUATION
Farrell says most of the world's hairpieces are easy to spot because manufacturers tend to
shop in India and China, where human hair is cheap. The problem is, it won't necessarily
look natural on a person of a different ethnic origin.
"I go to Russia, Sweden and other parts of Europe," he said. "In Russia, it
can cost $50 an ounce and more for naturally curly hair or blonde hair. A long, full head
of hair would take about 10 to 15 ounces to make, and it doesn't come from just one
person. Just separating the defferent lengths that come from one ponytail is very
labor-intensive."
Asian and Indian hair often costs as little as $10 per kilo.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
In Mexico, where Farrell researches new materials at this own facility, his signs can be
spotted in the streets, reading, "Compramos su cabello," or "We will buy
your hair."
"There is a business of hair collectors all over the world who sell to brokers, and I
often buy from brokers, too," he said. "But it's tough to get hair in Mexico
because the men really like women to keep it long."
CUSTOM CROWNS
Because every head of hair is custom-made for the wearer, Farrell said what he does would
be too hard to duplicate on a grand scale by larger companies.
One room at Farrell's La Cienega Boulevard salon is filled with artificial heads, which
display hair in various stages of development. Some heads boast long hair, for both men
and women. Some are for children.
"I also deal with people who have lost hair due to health problems," he said.
"Working with children is my biggest thrill, to see them feeling normal again."
GOT IT COVERED
Farrell claims he is rugless thus far. But, as a teen, he spent hours trying to straighten
his curly hair, and found he had a knack for hairstyling.
He began his career by designing hair extensions. In 1991, he founded Farrell Hair
Replacement, and his since been sought by an international group of balding movers and
shakers.
"I guess I've found a place where I fit on the planet," he chuckled. "I
never thought I'd be here, but it fits."
Reprinted with permission from Farrell Hair
Questions, please email HairSite@aol.com
www.farrellhair.com or www.farrellsalon.com
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