Gates’ Way for a Cause and Spring Fashion

Giving back is the best feeling. No matter who you are or what you do, you can touch lives and incorporate your passions. Sasha Gates is doing just this. Sasha is married to All-Pro Tight End Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers and with her friend/Co-Founder Brittney Hinds, they have combined their passion for wanting good hair with making a difference.

Together the duo started Dolling Extensions. This company came about with the purpose to encourage woman with cancer, despite their hair loss because of the Chemotherapy. Dolling Extensions makes 100% Human Authentic Indian hair extensions for woman who have lost their hair or for woman that want a fresh new look without damaging their real hair. Their dream has been unfolding as they have been able to use their resources to make products that boost women’s confidence and give them a reason to smile. When asked, both woman said they starting their company and foundation has been extremely gratifying, because of simply knowing they are supporting women that are struggling through illness. Dolling recently had a fashion show at Bloomingdales in San Diego’s Fashion Valley Mall where 10% of store sales went to funding more of the foundation’s wigs.

Ivee (mother of five),the first recipient of a Dolling Extension’s wig, was in attendance and recently finished her second set of cancer treatments last month (February 2013). Ivee spoke at the start of the show saying, “I am grateful for Dolling’s wigs. My wig helped me feel beautiful going through cancer the second time. People didn’t even know that I was wearing a wig and that’s exactly what I wanted.”  It is evident Hinds and Gates are touching lives in ways far deeper then what meets the eye.  

Pro Player Insider’s, Theresa Villano, caught up with the Co-Founders of the Dolling Foundation to chat further about the Bloomingdale’s event, empowering woman, and Spring fashion trends.

Pro Player Insiders: Tell us about the Dolling Hair Foundation Event?

Britney Hinds: We are here for the Dolling Foundation event us and Bloomingdales. what we are doing is fashion for a cause and the proceeds of this event will be going to make wigs for women who have lost their hair whatever the circumstance. It’s dear to our hearts we see the impact of when women have good hair like when they look their best. we have a motto “look good feel good” just to promote wellness and helping them look like they did before their illness.

PPI: It sounds like supplying women with hair in the Dolling Foundation is very important to you. How did this project start?

BH: Well we have a business it’s just Dolling Extensions and it grew from there and we always wanted to have a foundation so its been a thing of our to try and give back and just as friends we try and do things like that. A year later we formed a foundation and from there we knew we had hair we were selling so many woman have cancer especially African Americans are impacted its crazy so why not give back? you might want to meet our first hair recipient she’s here and she got her 1st wig and just seeing her she had me in tears when she sent me a picture like with the wig and her makeup it makes me want to get up and go give back. It boosted her confidence like 10 folds so from that point I cried my eyes out and it was like this is it. I had no idea giving back could feel so good, but from then on we’ve been using our resources so its to great we got a partner like Bloomingdales to help us reached more people and help touch other peoples lives.

PPI: We are now joined by Sasha Gates. Sasha, the models today what will they be wearing what kind of hair styles will they be wearing? Sasha Gates: Well, Dean Hall (Fashion and TV Stylist, @MrTopStyle4U of  www.mrtopstyle4u.com) will be styling the models its kind of a surprise all of the clothes that you will be seeing you can find here at Bloomingdales. Its going to be a clothes that are spring ready wear.

PPI: What hair styles will they be rocking? SG: I have no idea what they are going to be rocking. Something hot.

PPI: Hot! (chuckles) I like that. So the Dolling Foundation started because of a friend of yours was battling cancer. I love that. Tell me about a little bit more of the road you play in the Dolling Foundation. SG: Well, I’m the Co-Founder and for me I just want women to feel confident about themselves while they are going through their traumatic experience so to be able to boost someone’s self esteem through something so dramatic it makes me feel amazing to be able to give back and that’s the most important thing for me to be able to help women feel good about themselves because sometimes you lose all your hair it can lose your self esteem and want to help women regain it.

PPI: Dolling is definitely empowering women. I know a lot of Charger fans will definently buy your hair and support your cause; where can they find your products? SG: Dollingonline.com

PPI: What are some fashion tips you have for this spring? SG: Lots of color!

PPI: Love your lipstick. SG: Thank you, I wanted to try something different usually my hair is long and dark but I wanted to change it up. This hair is Dolling Extensions right now because I didn’t want to cut dye or anything like that so I put a weave in for a different look. For Spring change it up a little bit!

PPI: Brittney, are you wearing Dolling Hair? BH: Yes, none of my hair is out, its full Dolling. I think it is the perfect thing for spring is try something different and that is what we push with our company. With the hair we sell you don’t have to do anything, if you want to go blonde one day you don’t have to dye your hair you can just throw the hair in and change it up and your good to go without affecting what you have underneath if you do have hair.

Story by Fernando Ramirez Interview by Theresa Villano