Secrets of a Duchess opened June 2007 after Judith Maisel moved to Asheville from Southwest Florida.

The Duchess entered the wig business originally by accident. She still had hair at this time and was wearing hair pieces to supplement her own hair. Suddenly, most of her hair disappeared and she decided after looking at wig shops that there must be better wigs around. She went searching and eventually found awesome synthetic wigs that look like human hair, wash overnight, are in beautiful colors, and wonderful styles. So she opened a wig shop in Florida.

Five years ago Judi moved to Asheville, which she loves, and opened her store on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville.