Crowning Confidence: Ashley Clarke Redefines Beauty, One Wig at a Time
For Ashley, the visionary behind AshBelle Wigs, hair has always been more than just a style statement—it’s been a canvas for creativity and a pathway to confidence. Growing up with short, natural hair in a world of relaxed styles, Ashley's inventive spirit was sparked early, experimenting with new techniques on herself and friends.
What began as casual dorm room styling in college evolved into a full-fledged passion for wig making, driven by her desire to optimize time, express artistry, and meet the real-life needs of her growing clientele. Recognizing a gap in wig maintenance, she birthed the Wig Concierge service, ensuring her clients not only looked stunning but felt supported long after their initial purchase.
We got a chance to catch up with Ashley and ask her a few questions:
Can you tell us more about your journey from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming the founder of Ashbelle Wigs? How did your passion for beauty and self-expression influence the creation of your brand?
I’ve always had a passion for hair. I grew up having short hair and always had to find ways to make it look cute. I was natural and everyone around me had relaxed hair so my creativity fostered from there. I would always be in my head and my friends hair, teaching myself new tricks and styles. When I went away to college I started weaves for classmates because they would see me with a new style every week and by my senior year I made my first wig and fell in love with wig making.
What inspired you to focus specifically on wigs and wig maintenance as your creative outlet in the beauty industry?
I locked in with wigs when I realized I could optimize my time. I could take my time, trial and error and learn without effecting my hair or my clients. When I first started, I was making wigs for people and doing collections seasonally. Once I started growing my clientele, I would notice they were having hairstyle lapses because they didn’t know what to do with their wigs once they got dirty. Especially my friends, I would be like “ You just got a new wig 2 weeks ago and you ready to throw it away because it’s a mess? Bring it over and I’ll wash it and restyle it for you.”
I sometimes forget most people don’t know how to do their hair. A lightbulb went off! So even when there was down weeks or months when I wasn’t getting wig sales, I was having recurring business with my clients dropping wigs to wash and restyle. That was the birth of the Wig Concierge services.
Ashbelle Wigs offers custom styles tailored to individual needs. What’s your creative process like when designing a custom wig for a client?
My creative process for custom wig design has always been looks I’ve seen in my head once I’ve studied a persons face. Face shape, body type, skin tone and head size are my main factors when I’m creating for my clients. Some of them come with a vision and some just bring hair and say “do what you do, I trust you” and I always want to design a look that will compliment my client and make them feel even more beautiful.
Wigs can be transformative and empowering for many people. How do you hope Ashbelle Wigs helps your clients express themselves or feel more confident?
Over the past 5 years, my clients have already brought me to tears expressing how they’ve regained their confidence. Especially my clients suffering from hair loss, going through chemo and wanting to keep their hair done. It’s beautiful to see my clients who struggle with self image blossom and find their look by just a hairstyle.
Wig care can be intimidating for some. What are your top tips for maintaining a wig to keep it looking fresh and stylish?
My top tips for maintenance would be washing your wig with a clarifying shampoo every few weeks and using moisturizing conditioner. Refrain from using the wax sticks often as it causes buildup from outside debris. Treat the wig like it’s your hair. Comb it daily, don’t brush curly hair dry and be gentle with it.
Where do you find inspiration for the different styles in your collections? Are there any current trends in the wig industry that excite you?
I always get inspiration from looks I see in my everyday world. I love IG so I’m constantly seeing new looks and trends and thinking how can I do this but different? I’m a fan of curls and big hair so the layers on layers trend has had me in a chokehold!
What’s next for Ashbelle Wigs? Are there any new collections, services, or projects on the horizon that you’re particularly excited about?
I’m so excited for what Ashbelle Wigs is rolling out next. I released a small Valentine’s Day inspired collection, which is my first collection in 3 years. I’m coming back with so much more skill and development. Especially since I’m in cosmetology school.
That leads to the next thing, which is me offering hands on hair service. I’m transitioning to a one stop shop for my wig girls. I will be providing washing and natural hair care maintenance along with all my current wig services. I want to be more personal with my clients and care for their scalp as well.
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