AN award-winning hairstylist based in Kearsley has had his wigs feature in the latest series on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Two of the shows drag queen's A'Whora and Tayce have both sported impressive hair pieces created by Steven Austin, including one wig which measured 60inches long.
Having worked as a hair dresser for 17 years, Steven turned his hand to wigs 2 years ago and has now amassed a cult following in the drag queen world and has provided wigs for queens in both the US and Canada versions of the show.
Steven said: "In this series my designs are worn by Tayce and A'Whora and they both seem to be doing really well in the show.
"It's amazing seeing the wigs on TV, I remember the first time I saw one of my designs on TV was in the US Version and I screamed really loud, I'm surprised the whole of Bolton didn't hear me.
"I think it's incredible really, I'm just from a quaint town called Kearsley, not even Manchester city centre yet my designs are all over the BBC and Netflix."
CREATOR: Steven Austin
Although currently closed due to lockdown, Steven also runs a hair salon from an extension in his home in Kearsley.
All his wigs are made from human hair, which he then dyes, washes, blow dries and styles himself.
Steven said: "Wig design is something I've always had an interested in, but when I saw one of my hair heroes on Instagram create a wig the idea just hit me.
"At first it took a while finding suppliers and doing research, but once I'd created a few it just blew up.
"All the drag queens know each other so when they where one of my wigs they tag me on Instagram and that's how I get referrals.
GLAMOROUS: Tayce wears one of Steven’s wigs, which he dyes himself
"I didn't expect to go this far, I thought it was just doing to be a side hustle.
"The shorter wigs take about half a day to create, but I created a long 60inch wig for Tayce which took me two.
"It's fun to make them, it's nice when I don't want to speak to anyone so I can just get the colouring done and blast some music at the same time.
"Most of the time I get given a very vague brief so I can have a bit of fun making it."
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