Hemp & Hemp: Vegan Wigs For Barristers Launched in the UK

The vegan-friendly barrister's wig made a real splash on legal and national news after the prototype was first launched by Sam March in 2021. One year later, 100% vegan wigs are available to buy online in the UK.

Sam March - pupil barrister and animal rights activist made it his mission to break a 200-year-old tradition of barristers' horsehair wigs and created a range of alternative options suitable for vegan lawyers.

Speaking to The Vegan Kind, Sam said: "Essentially, after selling the first ten wigs as a trial, I have decided to make them more widely available and launch a website. It has been a funny experience being recognised in robing rooms as "the vegan wig guy". 

Sam named his vegan company Hemp & Hemp, as hemp was the best material for the wigs. Starting this month, the barristers can order the vegan wigs online and get them delivered to anywhere in the world through the company's website.

According to Sam, hemp offers a natural feeling and durability. 

"The only vegan options for barrister's wigs were synthetic. I had not heard positive things about synthetic wigs, and I wanted to keep things as local as practicable. I didn't want a highly artificial material masquerading as something else; I wanted something that was natural, distinct, had some character and proudly different," he said. 

The vegan wigs are made from European hemp, which is sourced from a co-operative that combines the crops of small groups of farmers. These local farmers produce their hemp crops as naturally as possible, without any damage to the environment.

Growing hemp is better for the planet than growing cotton. Hemp is a resilient plant; it can adapt to different conditions and requires less water or chemical additives. Also, hemp's fibre is stronger and longer-lasting compared to other materials. 

Historically, hemp was used to make ropes and sails for boats. Today, produced on a mass scale, it can replace any conventional fabric as a more durable and sustainable alternative. Hemp can be used for clothing, shoes, fashion accessories, home decoration and even in construction. 

Hemp & Hemp's first plant-based products met enthusiastic feedback from barristers, including a QC.

Jamie Burton QC said: "Lighter than its horsehair equivalent, Sam's wig has offered nothing to the quality of my submissions but definitely makes me perspire less in the face of an unpersuaded judge. And it causes no harm so I'm doubly grateful to Sam for his ingenious invention."

Hemp & Hemp has also started selling tins for the wigs. Barristers traditionally keep their wigs in specially customised tins, with their names engraved on them.

Standard containers usually cost £270. Sam is offering vegan tins at a much lower price for his customers. Hemp & Hemp premium tins are spacious (23cm diameter) circular shape, printed with a rich matt green and white finish, and they can be customised with the barrister's name and title. 

Hemp & Hemp premium customised can cost £83.33 (+ VAT) each. The standard tins are smaller (22 x 16 x 9 cm) rectangular metallic tins with a metallic green finish on the top. They cost £41.67 (+ VAT) each. 

If you are a vegan lawyer you can order your cruelty-free wig through Hemp & Hemp website.