Ribbon might be a very pretty adaptation. Have you ever tried using wired ribbon to add structure? I don't know if it would work, but (as you know) many of the extreme baroque and rococco styles used all sorts of supports like wire for lift and structure--so it seems a possible tool. Ideally, I think the style shown includes some cornrowing/french braiding techniques to "tie" the braids onto the head as they are designed...but I can't picture managing braiding such a complex design on/behind my own head! Definitely need an accomplice braider.