// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
I lost my hair to MS treatment - now my wigs are worn by Naomi Campbell and Serena Williams
Antonia with model Naomi Campbell, who is one of her clients
When 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.
Almost 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. 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.
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!"