Celebrating the Life of Ellen Wille
March 13th, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we say farewell to Ellen Wille. With her passing, we have lost a visionary leader, an extraordinary designer, and a cherished friend. Her endless drive, creative nature and positive attitude to life have always been an inspiration for us.
We would like to honor the life and enduring legacy of Ellen Wille whose entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of beauty led her to accomplish so much from her innovative wigs to stunning hairpieces. We admire her commitment to quality and ingenious approach to design, cementing her place in our hearts as a true pioneer in the world of wigs.
A Journey of Innovation
and Inspiration
Over the last 50 years, Ellen Wille turned her business into a renowned global brand widely known for its quality, color vibrancy, and natural look. She started her business in 1967 designing and selling wigs out of her van across Europe before opening her wig shop in Frankfurt, Germany. As her business grew, she realized she needed more space and moved the headquarters to Schwalbach am Taunus in the 1990s.
Ellen Wille didn't just view her team as employees; to her, they were her friends and family. Her business approach garnered loyalty and infused passion in all who worked alongside her, which is why her legacy will continue to live on through future generations. Renowned for both her high standard of excellence and attention to detail as much as she was known for her kindness and generosity, Ellen Wille left an indelible mark on all those she encountered.
A Legacy of Excellence
Throughout her career, Ellen Wille received numerous accolades and awards, underscoring her status as a leader in the realm of wig design. Among her most notable achievements was the prestigious Hair Icon Award, a testament to her enduring influence and innovation. Her Hair Society Collection garnered acclaim for its beauty and craftsmanship, earning her recognition from the World Congress for Hair Solutions. Most notable from this collection was a wig she designed called Aura which was honored for its lightweight design.
A Cherished Icon
Ellen Wille and her brand stand out as a beacon of excellence. As Europe's premier alternative hair brand, her wigs and hair toppers embody luxury, quality, and signature low-density styles. Her remarkable collections cater to every style preference and need whether it be natural-looking wigs, stylish hair toppers, or trendy hair pieces. For anyone who has worn an Ellen Wille wig or hair topper, there’s no question as to why she has more than earned her place as an icon in the alternative hair industry!
As we honor her memory, may Ellen’s enduring legacy continue to inspire and uplift all who have been touched by her remarkable contributions to the world. She was a cherished friend to our CEO Carliz Sotelo Moore, CINO Jörg Moltkau, and CXO Alicia Giglio. They will forever remember Ellen as one of the most influential leaders in our industry. Her relentless drive, boundless energy, and unwavering pursuit of perfection served as a beacon of inspiration to others.
Alicia shares her experience with Ellen Wille:
"It’s hard to properly express what Ellen Wille meant to me and so many others in the alternative hair industry to truly honor her legacy the way it should be.
I looked up to her as a mentor, but even more so—I’m honored to say, she was my friend. Ellen was unwavering in her pursuit of excellence, her boundless curiosity, and innovative spirit made her a true trailblazer."
"What impressed me even more was Ellen’s humanity. She was undeniably chic, interesting, creative, well-spoken, kind, and thoughtful! She exuded elegance, both in her appearance and character. Ellen's presence will be sorely missed, yet her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. It was a true pleasure and honor to know her. I envision her now, savoring exquisite champagne in a place beyond our reach, raising her glass in a heartfelt toast to all of us.
Prost, mein Freund!"
-Alicia (Beauty and Hair CXO)
Carliz shares her experience with Ellen Wille:
"Ellen Wille is not just an icon in our industry, whose
relentless pursuit of perfection in her craftsmanship of wigs for women around the world she is an idol of mine personally. She lived life with passion, and loved with her soul all in! She truly “went for it “in every sense of the word, dominated as a designer, businesswoman, friend, and human. What a great void she leaves behind . I will use Ellen Wille‘s example if integrity and laser focus as a guiding light In my career. Thank you Ellen… You will be supremely missed"
-Carliz (Beauty and Hair CEO)
