Malawi’s first line of hair
Malawi, just like other African countries mainly, is an environment where weaves and relaxers are celebrated by women.
While the extensions market is made up predominantly of black consumers who wear weaves; hair extensions woven into braids or a mesh cap, there are concepts popping up to address those looking for fused-on or clip-on hair extensions.
For Malawian women, your wig search just got easier. A US-based Malawian fashionista is launching her line of hair next month in Lilongwe. The range of hair is suitable for the comfort, luxury and elegant looks of Malawian women.
Just like any other woman in the 21st century, Arither Chingota-Ntaba is fascinated by wigs, and that alone was enough motivation to start up a line of hair.
“In 2012, I came up with an idea of starting a hairline, after talking to my husband about it, he supported it and I started sourcing information. The information I had was not enough to support my idea so I enrolled myself in an entrepreneurial school and I presented my proposal. The professors were so intrigued about it.
“You may ask why? Well I told them I love wigs, they come handy all the time. I feel every woman should own a wig for a bad hair day and for a fashion sense. Gone are the days when a woman walks around with nappy hair. A woman should not shave her hair because of a bad day, she can just throw a short wig in and go,” said Ntaba in an interview.
She is launching her own line of hair-wigs and clip-ins on August 22 in Lilongwe. Under the label Arither, if the pictures are anything to go by, surely hundreds of women may jump at the chance to achieve Kim Kardashian levels of hair fullness.
The more fascinating fact is that the wigs are named in Chichewa just to give people that Malawian feel.
“It bothers me to see that wigs don’t have African names, especially Malawian names. They are usually named after Western names and yet we Africans rock them all the time. So I wanted my own line so I can give them Malawian names like Naphiri, Nambewe, Abiti Walasi, Nantawa, Namagagula among others. So my wigs have all these names and,” she explained.
For most women, Brazilian Hair is the most sought after texture on the market right now. This hair is used diversely because of its softness, durability and thickness. This texture is extremely luxurious and soft with a lot of body and natural shine. The hair also holds curls for very long time making it extremely versatile.
With that at the back of her mind, Ntaba’s line of hair blended all these into long lasting wigs and clip-ins, she says.
“The products under my hairline are virgin hair wigs, 100 percent human hair wigs, synthetic wigs which are futura fiber meaning they can use heat up to 400 degrees. And I just introduced the clip-ins. The clips-ins are the best thing that has happened to the hair industry. You don’t have to worry about getting a weave done if you don’t have time to sit down for hours just to achieve a look. All you do is clip the hair in and off you go.
“Arither collection is very unique because our hair cuticles follow the same directions, they are futura fiber. A lady should not break a bank to look good as such our collection is very affordable. Our wigs are not shinny. No woman should wear a shinny wig. They should look natural. Arither collection looks natural, once you slay it, you feel it,” she explained.
Manufactured in the USA, the hair collection has steady and ever increasing markets in USA, The United Kingdom, China, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa.
“I also post them on Facebook, Instagram as well as Etsy. And sometimes on e-Bay. I am launching the hair in Malawi on August 22 2015 in Lilongwe. It’s high time I come home and meet my customers and reach out to new customers. I will be doing show and tell about the wigs. How to style them, how to frame them to fit your face, how to make them look natural,” stated Ntaba.
She wants to make it easier for salon owners, stylists and individuals to benefit from the business of wigs.
“I have a shop in Blantyre at AL Min Arcade, behind Kips near AXA bus station, it’s called Cosmo Beauty. In Lilongwe, people will get everything at Graces boutique in Area 2, KAK arcade opposite after the launch on August 22,” said the fashionista.
As Arither collection is growing, so are the interests of the brains behind it.
“The fashion industry is so tricky, most of the times things go in pairs. Sounds expensive I know, but not really if you think about it. Where I live from Thursday it’s either ladies are in the hair shop getting hair done or getting a wig, then after that they get their nails done then the weekend starts. So I decided to start a nail polish line of which I will be unveiling the day of the launch.
“I have been doing the nail polish for almost eight months now. I sold my friends at first because I wanted to get the reviews. After good reviews, I got a lot of customers. I supply in elderly homes they love my nail polish because it’s vegan meaning it’s free from all harmful chemicals like Toluene, Formaldehyde, DBP among others. I also sell to the nail shop owners because nowadays a lot of people are going vegan.
Arither nail colour is formulated to prevent chipping and cracking with a great pigmentation.
“Also manufactured in the USA, it is approved by the FDA, the Department of Health and Human Services. Our line consists of gel nail polish and regular polish. We have neon colours as well as other mild colours. I have plans to expand the empire in the near future with more exciting ideas, which I am cooking now. I just finished my nail technician training. I have learnt a lot from it,” explained Ntaba. n
