Devoted to Perfection: The Making of Great Lengths Extensions

Article published at: Nov 4, 2025
Devoted to Perfection: The Making of Great Lengths Extensions
Brand Story • Manufacturing • Ethics

Devoted to Perfection: The Making of Great Lengths Extensions

We take you behind the velvet ropes to experience the handcrafted artistry that goes into making Great Lengths Extensions.

Great Lengths ambassadors at Nepi factory

Recently, top Great Lengths Ambassadors traveled to Nepi, Italy, to experience firsthand the meticulous handcrafted process of making Great Lengths extensions.

The Sacred Origins

It all begins in India, where women donate their hair to temples as a sacred offering. This hair, given with reverence, is then ethically sourced and carefully transported to Nepi, Italy—a charming town just outside of Rome. Here, at the Great Lengths factory, ancient tradition meets modern innovation, where every strand is treated with the same devotion it was given.

"The journey of each extension starts with respect," explains CEO Vito Pollina. "We honor the origins of the hair and the people who donated it. That's why full traceability and ethical sourcing aren't just promises—they're our foundation."

Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri inspecting hair bundles

Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri inspect the ethically sourced hair bundles.

Great Lengths factory in Nepi, Italy

The Great Lengths factory in Nepi, Italy, where craftsmanship meets innovation.

The Factory in Nepi

Nestled in the Italian countryside, the Great Lengths factory is where magic happens. It's not a mass-production facility—it's an atelier, a workshop where more than 30 skilled artisans handcraft each bundle of extensions with meticulous care.

When Great Lengths' top ambassadors visited, they were stunned by what they witnessed. "Walking through that factory changed everything for me," says celebrity stylist Dimitris Giannetos. "You see the dedication, the precision, the love that goes into every single strand."

Trusting the Process

Each bundle of hair goes through more than 40 steps before it's ready to be installed. Every strand is tested for elasticity, purity, and structural integrity. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is compromised.

One of the most remarkable processes is depigmentation. Unlike other extension companies that use harsh bleaches and ammonia, Great Lengths uses a revolutionary osmosis-based method. This gentle technique removes color without damaging the hair's cuticle, preserving its strength, shine, and natural movement.

"This is what sets Great Lengths apart," explains Marco Matiacci, Master Artisan at Great Lengths. "We don't take shortcuts. We innovate to protect the hair, not destroy it."

Marco Matiacci showing depigmented hair

Marco Matiacci displays the depigmented hair, ready for the next stage of the coloring process.

"It's magical to see how much it takes to make Great Lengths Extensions. You realize this is true luxury hair."

— Dimitris Giannetos, Celebrity Hairstylist

Crafting the Color

Once the hair is depigmented, it moves to the color department—where artistry truly shines. Great Lengths doesn't use standard hair dyes. Instead, they use proprietary textile dyes, which create richer, more dimensional tones that mimic the natural variation found in human hair.

"When I watched them blend the colors, I was blown away," says Riawna Capri, co-owner of 901 Salon. "Every single strand is hand-touched. That's why the color looks so natural—it's not flat. It has depth, dimension, life."

Riawna Capri inspecting the hand-applied color process

Riawna Capri watches as color is meticulously hand-applied to each extension.

"Using a special manual technique, the blending department mixes and blends several shades to create the three-dimensional color that is the special feature of Great Lengths."

— Marco Matiacci, Master Artisan, Great Lengths

The final three-dimensional color blend

The finished product: a stunning three-dimensional color blend that mimics natural hair.

After coloring, the hair goes through a double-drawn process, where shorter hairs are removed to ensure uniform length and fullness from root to tip. This labor-intensive step is what makes Great Lengths extensions so lush and luxurious—no wispy, thin ends.

Next, the hair moves to the machine department, where over 30 artisans work at individual stations, carefully bonding each strand. The entire process is Remy, meaning every strand is aligned root-to-tip—the way hair naturally grows. This prevents tangling and ensures the extensions move and flow like natural hair.

Remy hair showing root-to-tip alignment

Every strand of Remy hair is aligned from root to tip, ensuring seamless movement and minimal tangling.

The Hairdressers' Point of View

For the ambassadors who visited the factory, the experience was transformative. Many of them had worked with Great Lengths for years, but seeing the process firsthand deepened their appreciation and commitment to the brand.

"I've always trusted Great Lengths, but now I understand why they're the best," says Naomi Panizza, owner of Great Lengths' #1 salon in Perth, Australia. "The quality isn't an accident. It's the result of obsessive attention to detail at every single stage."

Nikki Lee, co-owner of 901 Salon, adds, "The ethics behind it are just as important as the quality. Knowing that the hair is ethically sourced and that Great Lengths is B Corp certified—that matters to us and to our clients."

Ambassadors examining the quality and ethical standards

The ambassadors witness firsthand the quality and ethical practices that define Great Lengths.

"With Great Lengths, you won't be sorry, but be careful—you will be hooked!"

— Danielle Keasling, Great Lengths USA Executive Artistic Director

The beautiful result of the meticulous crafting process

The result of countless hours of meticulous craftsmanship: extensions that look and feel like natural hair.

@hairbrained_official Behind the Scenes at Great Lengths

Go behind the scenes at the Great Lengths factory in Nepi, Italy.

B Corp Certified: A Commitment to Excellence and Ethics

Great Lengths is the only hair extension company in the world to achieve B Corp certification. This prestigious designation is awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

For Great Lengths, this means demonstrating not just exceptional product quality, but also a commitment to ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, and fair labor practices throughout their entire supply chain.

Learn more about Great Lengths' sustainability initiatives and B Corp journey at www.greatlengths.com/en-us/sustainability.

The Pursuit of Perfection

At Great Lengths, the pursuit of perfection isn't just a process—it's a devotion to the craft. From the sacred origins of the hair to the hands of skilled artisans in Nepi, every step is infused with care, precision, and respect.

For the ambassadors who witnessed it all, the experience was unforgettable. "If you want to grow your business, you want to grow your creativity in what you do—this is where it's at," says celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena.

And for hairdressers and clients alike, Great Lengths represents more than just extensions. They represent a commitment to quality, ethics, and the timeless artistry of true craftsmanship.

Great Lengths: Devoted to Perfection
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Discover More About Great Lengths

To discover how you can become certified in and carry Great Lengths extensions, plus learn more behind their ethics and mission, please visit our website.

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