Today we’d like to introduce you to DeBonaire DeVille.
Hi DeBonaire, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Deb ‘N Hair Wigs was created from the evolution of my drag character, DeBonaire DeVille. I began doing drag in 2018 in Knoxville, TN. I had just moved to Knoxville from my hometown in Louisiana and as a new queen on the scene, I knew I needed to stand out so I looked around me. I saw that the one thing missing from the scene at the time was that no one wore styled wigs for numbers at the bar but a few super-tenured performers.
I knew that I had no formal or professional training with hair let alone wigs, but I felt confident that I could do pretty good hair because my mom has owned and operated her beauty salon for my whole life, which I watched… for my whole life. This gave me a huge base of knowledge so I just tried my hand at a Kesha-inspired styled wig for a competition that I was impersonating her in and won.
Just from that, I got noticed as the girl that does hair. I quickly had clients and also anxiety haha only because I knew I was capable of doing ok work but I had so much to learn. The more I did hair, I learned, on the spot, troubleshooting the whole way, and guess what? I am still troubleshooting and learning to this day and always will be as that’s the only way to truly grow.
From 2019-present off and on I’ve worked full-time with my wig business, Deb ‘N Hair Wigs which has grown into so many opportunities! To stay booked and busy working full time, I used social media as a portfolio for my work and a way to accept clients. I pride myself on being able to accomplish a variety of styles and not be that “cookie cutter” wig designer who may be limited to a few styles. I began to get particularly popular from my rhinestone hairstyles.
Most have gone viral on Instagram which has amazingly added to my follower count consisting of 15 Celebrities and where you all found me! From discovering me on Instagram alone, my hair has been featured and worn in New York fashion week, won many National pageants, and In the Texas State Fair.
Lately, I’ve had the privilege to work with a handful of celebrities from American Idol and Queen of The Universes Ada Vox who was featured in an Allure magazine wearing a Deb ‘N Hair Original, RuPaul drag race Scarlet Envy where she wore a Deb ‘N Hair Original on the Pink Carpet at RuPaul’s Drag Con LA 2022, and presently Alyssa Edwards of Mesquite, TX. Which I’ve had the privilege of working closely with them on special projects including doing several pieces for her 2022 Canada Tour.
I wake up to new opportunities daily and seize them as they come! I’m also in the works of seizing my opportunities and working toward having DeBonaire be at the forefront of my career with an emphasis on my wigs. I am so excited about the new opportunities to come!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life has happened to where I’ve had to stop and start with my business because I’ve moved a lot but it was always something I came back to. I struggle daily as a small business owner but that’s the business. I also thrive as much as I struggle so don’t get it twisted haha
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Deb ‘N Hair Wigs specializes in Theatre, stage, film, and tv wigs with an emphasis on Drag wigs. I am most known for my wigs and my drag persona, DeBonaire DeVille fi which I specialize in both and is my full-time career. I am most proud of my current projects of working closely with celebrities.
My variety of styles with my particular “Deb flair” is what has set me apart from most which have helped gain my business interest. I just had one of my wigs worn by RuPaul Drag Races Alyssa Edwards for Dancing With The Stars last night on Disney+. To date, this is the biggest opportunity I’ve had thus far in my career!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Drive and determination have been the biggest factor in my success. I have a clear vision of my goals and am headed where I want to be!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Blake Butler
