Meet Merria
To put it simply, Merria Dearman loves helping people.
For the past two decades, Dearman has changed the lives of men and women from all walks of life. Some have been trying to reclaim their identity while battling medical hair loss, while others are seeking a brand new look or simply an enhancement of their existing one. Her profound contribution to the world reminds us just how much hair is part of one’s identity.
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Being eternally curious and eager to learn, she made the decision to further her education at Vancouver Film School, expanding her skills to makeup and hair for film and stage. It was while studying character design, that Dearman fell in love with the art of wig making.
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Dearman began her career as a hairstylist in Santa Rose, CA where, within two years, she was recognized and awarded nationally.
The Calling
After earning her degree, she returned home to find her beloved Aunt had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.
When her aunt lost her hair during treatment, Dearman used her skills to build a hyper-realistic wig that allowed her aunt to feel beautiful and confident during the most difficult time of her life.
It was while helping her aunt that Dearman realized her true calling.
First NYC Salon
In 2013, Dearman moved to New York City and opened her own wig salon on the Upper East Side.
After only a year, Dearman was so busy she needed assistance in fabricating her designs to keep up with demand.
Turning to different parts of the world, Dearman was exposed to the global practices of the hair trade and mass market wig manufacturing.
Ethical Sourcing
Dearman decided it would be her mission to source only from facilities with fair market practices - those that pay women fair market prices directly for their hair, as well those whose workers are paid a fair wage and are not forced to work with harsh chemicals.
She herself traveled to the countries of origin to see how exactly the hair is harvested and processed without harmful chemicals and how a wig should be built from start to finish.
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Today, Dearman continues to ethically source hair and expand her reach while educating and elevating the wig industry.
She sources directly in China and Indonesia, Eastern Europe, Vietnam and even right here in the United States.
“Hair is a naturally occurring commodity. It’s organic, decomposes and continues to be of great value.
If we can be humane in the sourcing and fully responsible for processing without hurting our environment or the people in it, we win.
We are helping a billion-dollar industry on a path to regulation, while ensuring the public is informed, protected and empowered when purchasing.”
The Stars, and Beyond
Dearman was highlighted in the 2017 New York Times article entitled “Last of New York’s Master Wigmakers” introducing her to an even larger audience.
She continues to help her clients suffering from hair loss, while also working with the celebrity film and editorial world.
She has worked with Tony Award winning designers and celebrity stylist, with hair gracing the heads of Gisele Bundchen, Irina Shayk, Naomi Campbell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Fergie, Madonna, Karlie Kloss, and many more.
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Dearman’s goal has always been to help anyone that needs something beautiful and well made to be informed, protected and empowered when purchasing an ethically and responsibly made wig.
She is meeting and surpassing that goal everyday - one strand at a time.
