New Orleans is famous for its haunted hotels, ghost tours and vibrant Halloween celebrations. But beyond its spooky attractions, the Louisiana city is also home to a creative fashion destination where wigs become elaborate works of art. At Fifi’s Custom Wigs in the French Quarter, customers can find everything from glamorous transformations to extraordinary, theatrical creations designed to make a statement.

Founded in 1977 by Marcy Hesseling, the boutique has built a reputation as a go-to destination for locals and visitors searching for distinctive wigs and imaginative costume accessories. In 2023, the business was taken over by Thomas O’Donnell and his husband, Neil Ard, who had recently moved from New York City. O’Donnell brought experience from the theatre world, while Ard had a background in fashion.

O’Donnell initially joined the shop in a part-time role before the couple decided to purchase the business and continue its legacy.

Today, Fifi’s remains a colourful fixture in the French Quarter. Creative director Bridget Broyles oversees the wig designs, while the co-owners also contribute to the creative work.

“Fifi’s exists for fun,” O’Donnell explains, describing a shop filled with wigs in every colour, elaborate headpieces, fascinators and glitter. The atmosphere is deliberately extravagant, reflecting the store’s playful approach to personal style.

From Everyday Glamour to Outlandish Creations

Fifi’s offers both ready-made wigs and custom designs, giving customers options for a wide range of looks and budgets.

With hundreds of wigs available in different styles, colours and lengths, visitors can find an instant transformation without placing a special order. As O’Donnell puts it, customers can walk in and leave looking like Dolly Parton.

However, it is the bespoke creations that have helped distinguish the boutique. Customers arrive with characters, themes or unusual ideas in mind, and the team works to turn those visions into wearable designs.

Past creations have included wigs inspired by butterfly wings, disco balls and tropical gardens, as well as a horror-themed design inspired by Friday the 13th.

O’Donnell says the team enjoys working with customers to bring their ideas to life while making the experience accessible to different budgets, with projects ranging from around $60 to $600.

Turning Imagination Into Wearable Art

The complexity of a custom wig depends on the design. Some can be completed in just a few hours, while more elaborate projects may require several days or even weeks.

Broyles particularly enjoys designs that involve building intricate elements into the wig itself, including miniature scenes and elaborate sculptural details.

Among her memorable creations are a pirate ship being attacked by tentacles and a wig inspired by Popeyes fried chicken, which required her to work out how to recreate the appearance of fried chicken in a wearable form.

For the team, the challenge lies in transforming unusual concepts into practical creations that customers can actually wear.

Halloween Brings a Creative Rush

Although Fifi’s operates throughout the year, Halloween is one of its busiest periods, second only to Mardi Gras.

Custom orders begin arriving during the summer, allowing the team to prepare for the seasonal rush. By October, the workshop is operating at full capacity, while customers fill the shop and wait for their transformations.

O’Donnell describes the atmosphere as chaotic but exciting, with anticipation building as Halloween approaches.

Certain styles return every year. Bloody prom queens, glamorous Medusas and darker interpretations of Marie Antoinette remain perennial favourites among customers looking for dramatic, spooky looks.

Yet the team never knows exactly what new requests will arrive, leaving plenty of room for experimentation.

A City That Never Runs Out of Reasons to Dress Up

At Fifi’s, the end of Halloween does not mean the end of costume creativity.

Once the spooky season passes, the shop turns its attention to Thanksgiving fascinators and holiday-themed wigs. New Orleans’ packed calendar of events, parades, luncheons, bachelorette celebrations and private parties provides a steady stream of opportunities for bold accessories and playful transformations.

The boutique’s continued success reflects the city’s enthusiasm for dressing up and expressing individuality.

In New Orleans, elaborate costumes are not reserved for one night of the year. From Mardi Gras to Halloween and the celebrations in between, Fifi’s Custom Wigs has built a business around the idea that there is always another occasion to embrace a little extravagance.