Real fringe. Real confidence.
Founder of Real Fringe
Real Fringe Hair Bands and Confident Locks is a Victorian-based company that offers an innovative solution for cancer or alopecia patients experiencing hair loss. The company creates hairbands or fringe pieces using the patient's own hair, a friend's or family members, to provide patients with the feeling and look of still having their own hair.
The idea was sparked by oncology nurse Nicole Dematos in 2012 when one of her patients sewed her own hair into a hat, so she could still feel the wind in her hair on down days during chemotherapy. In 2017, Real Fringe was registered and began in Nicole’s mother-in-law’s basement before evolving and growing into an apartment space in Macleod, Victoria.
Real Fringe has a team of seven, including Flick, an oncology nurse, three seamstresses, framers, and admin. They accept hair donations as short as 15 centimeters and artificially colored hair, which creates more opportunities for people undergoing treatment. Friends of patients are encouraged to fundraise to pay for the band to be manufactured and support their loved ones experiencing hair loss.
Nicole is working on a project for this year, where 100 salons across Australia can buy a Confident Locks Mini. The detachable hair on a low sitting cap can then be donated to someone experiencing hair loss in their local area.
The company's goal is to give people their confidence back that they may have lost due to their diagnosis or hair loss. The team's favorite part of their work is seeing someone smile when they put their hair band on.
Nicole presented her idea to the 2020 AUSmumpreneur Awards, where Selina Tomasich, founder of Hair Aid, was one of the judges. Selina connected with Nicole's concept and vision and became a business journey mentor for Real Fringe. Nicole discovered CPR in early 2022 and was impressed by the results after testing some products on her clients and hair donations. The team's favorite CPR products are Anti-Fade shampoo and conditioner, Rescue shampoo, Volume range, Heat Defence, Style & Protect, and Maximiser, all having multiple benefits for the hair wefts.
Real Fringe manufactures their products in Australia to maintain control over the process and provide the best outcome for their clients. They accept hair donations to turn into wefts for people who may not have kept their hair before chemotherapy.
Interested in learning more about the project?
Contact Nicole to get involved, donate hair or funds to help someone in need.
email admin@realfringehairbands.com.au
web realfringehairbands.com.au
