Hair loom: the Peruvian wigmakers weaving a new trade for women in the Andes

Claudia Ccahua Huaman, with one of the wigs she has made in Ollantaytambo, and a traditional woven shawl and blanket Photograph: Leslie Osterling

The face of Juanabel Pillco Solís, who lives in the village of Huayronccoyocpampa in the Peruvian Andes, lights up with pride as she slides a “topper” – or half-wig – on her head.

“This took me almost a month to make,” she says. “It’s such an impressive achievement when I compare this to what I made when I first started out.”