I lost my hair to MS treatment - now my wigs are worn by Naomi Campbell and Serena Williams

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. I lost my hair to MS treatment - now my wigs are worn by Naomi Campbell and Serena Williams Image source, Antonia Okonma ShittuImage caption, Antonia with model Naomi Campbell, who is one of her clientsByElla KiplingPublished25 minutes agoWhen Antonia Okonma Shittu was told she had multiple sclerosis (MS) and would be using a wheelchair within the year, she was in denial. The 26-year-old, who was in between acting jobs and working in a call centre, said the diagnosis was a "massive turning point" in her life. "It does really make you think about what you want to do in life," she said.

She looked back to what she enjoyed doing as a child - styling hair - and decided to use the shock of the diagnosis to spur her on to turn her passion into a business. Antonia, who grew up on a council estate in west London, bought two wigs and went door to door selling them from the boot of her car. Image source, Antonia Okonma ShittuImage caption, Antonia with American actress Niecey NashAlmost two decades later, she is now a multi-million-pound brand owner, with high-profile clients including tennis icon Serena Williams, model Naomi Campbell and actress Niecey Nash.

The Details

She even won a Black British Business Award last week. Antonia, now 44, still struggles with her health, having also received diagnoses of Graves' disease - an autoimmune condition - and heart failure, but hopes her experience running a hair empire while fitting in hospital appointments can inspire other women. 'I didn't feel like myself after losing my hair'Antonia says she saw a gap in the market when she was surrounded by "terrible" wigs while working in TV and film, including in the ITV series Bad Girls two decades ago.

"Women wanted natural-looking wigs and they just weren't available. They looked like helmets! "Antonia set up a Facebook page and began advertising on Gumtree.

"I had very limited resources. I didn't have any investors behind me. I come from very humble beginnings.

What Experts Say

"Her experience dealing with MS has helped her success, she says. Antonia lost her hair when she underwent chemotherapy following a bone marrow transplant, so she knows what it is like to be "completely bald". This made her relate more deeply to her customers, she explains, as she understands the loss of control some women feel when they lose their hair.

"I didn't feel like myself," she says, "but being able to put on a wig that looks something close to how your hair was, or the look you used to have, it's as though you can feel like yourself again. "When she sees a woman put a wig on and her "whole face lights up", it can be "very, very rewarding". "When we feel good about ourselves...

we're more confident, we can achieve more. I felt like I was changing the world, one person at a time.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.