Sasha Colby is launching a line of hair extensions, out Oct. 18.
The winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 15, is leaning into what she does best: the pony. Her first drop will be 28-inch ponytails in 10 colors for $99 each at sashacolbyhair.com (available for preorder on Friday).
“Even before ‘Drag Race,’ I’ve been known for my ponytails,” said Colby, born Sasha Kekauoha — who made history as the first Hawaiian transgender contestant to be crowned on the Emmy-winning show. “Since I won Miss Continental in 2012, I was infamous with my ponytail for talent. And, you know, drag is very handmade, and I hand-sewed my ponies, and it was pretty expensive. It was on the pricey end, and I had to source the right hair. But so many people want a pony. So many people are fans, and just anybody that watched the show, they really want a ponytail tutorial.”
What are some tricks?
“A good pony starts with a good base, a good bun,” she said. “You have to take your time. There is a finesse of making sure you’re putting it in correctly, normally, so I wanted to really simplify it.”
She’s worked to make the look accessible, using Kanekalon Futura Fiber, which combines “the best attributes of natural hair with the convenience and durability of synthetic materials.” It’s a partnership with Florida-based hair extension manufacturer Salon Xtensions, with more styles coming as part of her new brand, Sasha Colby Hair.
“Sometimes you just need it out of your hair,” she said of developing the trademark. “And also, I love a good snatch. When you snatch your hair back, it’s a great, little mini facelift. You know what I mean? So, combining a ponytail, like a really fierce, thick, luxurious ponytail with a snatch, it just kind of gives it that femme fatale feeling that I like to go for.”
She’s also giving back; a portion of proceeds will help communities impacted by the Maui wildfires through the Kakoʻo Maui Fund.
“There’s been so many casualties and deaths and a lot of rebuilding that needs to be done for the native Hawaiians, especially,” she went on. “There’s, you know, not a lot of resources that end up coming to disaster zones. There’s been a history of that in America. So it really relies on us, and I take responsibility as a native Hawaiian who is in a position of influence and of prosperity — that it was a no brainer.”
Source: WWD