Michelle has lived with alopecia since the age of 5 and has been campaigning to raise awareness of hair loss since 1996.


Michelle has a complete understanding of those who find themselves faced with hair loss, either through Alopecia or by way of hospital treatments.  Michelle is also using all of her knowledge and personal experience by designing a range of wigs.  “These wigs are designed for anyone who loses their hair, by someone who really understands. A little bit of me has gone into all of these wigs and it is wonderful to know that people are now benefiting from my life of living with hair loss”.


Michelle’s first national campaign began in the Daily Mail in 1996, the response was incredible.  Since then Michelle has continued with her mission and was asked to take part in a BBC1 documentary about the experience, pain, trials and tribulations of Gail Porter the TV personality, who was diagnosed with Alopecia in August 2005.  The documentary was shown in May 2006 as part of the One Life Documentary series.  Michelle said “Since Gail’s diagnosis, the awareness for hair loss has increased dramatically. The letters, telephone calls and emails received by both Gail and I, have been touching and humbling in knowing that a positive difference has been made in helping those living with hair loss and educate those who know little or nothing about it”.


Michelle goes on to say, “As well as my friendship with Gail, I also work alongside Trevor Sorbie MBE, the Celebrity Hairdresser who has launched his My New Hair project (www.mynewhair.org) which supports anyone experiencing hair loss as a result of cancer or alopecia.  Trevor and I appeared on the Channel 5 show The Wright Stuff, hosted my Matthew Wright, where we both spoke about wigs and hair loss”.  Michelle is heavily involved with the My New Hair Charity in which Trevor aims to recruit and train 400 hairdressers to look after hair loss patients and customise their wigs.


As well as her work with My New Hair and Browns More Hair Now Ltd., Michelle also works with the Alopecia Awareness Support Group.


In June 2008, Michelle was featured on the Trinny & Susannah ITV1 series ‘The Great British Body’, where she was chosen by Trinny & Susannah, from thousands of women, to represent the female body.  “It was an incredible and emotional experience. I met people who had also been through very difficult experiences and had come to appreciate themselves for who they are.  It is important that we feel good about our bodies and understand that we don’t have to be a ‘perfect 10’, just look in the mirror and love what looks back at you”.


As well as being the lead singer of a local band, Michelle until recently worked on a voluntary basis with Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club since 2002.


www.alopecia-awareness.org.uk

www.alopeciaworld.com/profile/MichelleChapman