Former BBC wig makers will give Safiyyah a masterclass

Persistence has paid off for one lucky Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student as she prepares to start a placement working with two of the country’s best known wig makers.

Twenty-one-year-old Safiyyah Siddique will be learning from the best when she spends six days with Philippa Devon and Alan Godleman, who between them accumulated a combined experience of more than 50 years at the BBC.

The pair, who managed the BBC’s wig store for many years, were in a perfect position to step in when the Corporation decided to close the department. The duo bought all the stock and set up The Wig Store Ltd, which has supplied hairpieces for dramas such as Larkrise to Candleford and feature films including The Queen. 

Mum-of-one Safiyyah lives in East London and demonstrates her commitment to the course by commuting to Birmingham three days a week.

She said: “I did have the opportunity to transfer to a course closer to home but once I’d met the lecturers at UCB I knew my heart belonged there. I’m excited about my work experience placement which I found and organised myself.”

Safiyyah ultimately wants to use her skill to make wigs for people who are undergoing cancer treatment or living with alopecia.

She said: “Although it would be nice to experience working in film or television, I want to give something back. I had a tough childhood and left school at 15 with no GCSEs. I worked hard to gain a Level 3 qualification which paved the way for my degree at UCB. I now want to use what I’ve learned to help others.”