Now we all know Panto is touch and go, tight deadlines, last minute decisions and the likes, but when Stratford East got in touch to hire a wig on Thursday for their photo shoot on Monday. I though oh blimey.. that’s abit tight. I only had one wig available as I normally make custom to order. The brief got sent over and would you believe it was actually a pretty good match. Off the blue glitter foamie went for shoot day. See below ⬇️
This image was soon to be uploaded with the announcement that Stewart J Charlesworth was designing costume and set. My heart skipped a little as I delved into his portfolio only to be met with some of the most glorious designs I have ever seen. As a creative, I find it incredibly easy to fan girl certain artists, not in a strange way, just a sense of awe. I’m a hard cap wig maker and have dabbled in sculpture and paint. My skill set just categorically cannot get to a place of design. So, to explore Charles design work was an absolute joy. If you too, fancy having a little browse at his portfolio, check out his instagram or website. You won’t be disappointed, not one ounce.
The image above gives away a generous amount of design work and let’s be real, this futuristic colour spectacle was already so pleasing to the eye (AI or not) I was delighted to be apart of it.
A month later I was sent the design briefs of the wigs to create.. I’d seen “The blue rinse fairy” from the hire piece above, so had already pre planned and prepped my hair colour for this piece. But what I hadn’t seen was characters: Astro Ela & Fox. In they pinged on email as I sat at my local coffee shop sipping my daily almond cappuccino.
As I gazed on the little screen of my phone, zooming in and out and all around at the new briefs, a pulse of over excitement ran through my body and I absolutely 100% muttered the words “that is F***ing EPIC” 🤣
Slurped up the rest of coffee and had to go for a walk to ease off the kinetic energy running through my body.
My head scrambling around figuring out ways to create fox in hard cap and OH! Ela has headphones on her head?.. wouldn’t it be great to add these too, or find them and attach them to the hard cap itself? Hmmm I wonder whether the local charity shop has anything?
Walks to the shop next door, opens the door, turns to the right AND BAM 💥
NO, WAIT, WHAT is going on????
Grabs photo out of pocket, checks brief- EXACT COLOUR MATCH to an absolute T. Blue at the bottom, yellow top. WOW.
Serendipity, meant to be, guided, placed in my path? You better believe it. Mind blown.
I absolutely knew this job was meant to be.
It flowed from second to minute.
I always upload my wig reels, and studio work to instagram and did for this set too, I also spent a lot of time creating on instagram live. Stewart popped in every now and again to gently nudge the design where needed which I absolutely adored. I very much work in a way where if I’m creating somebody elses beautiful design, it has to be bloody perfect for them. So nudges to get there are always welcomed and appreciated.
Follow the flow right? That’s how you create magic.✨
I have just uploaded a wonderful reel to Instagram from design, to creation, to on stage. Watch it here.
Below are just a few images from the magical creation of PINOCCHIO- Now playing at Stratford East till January 4th. Don’t miss your chance to see this magical performance and of course Stewart’s utterly FLAWLESS design.
Behind the scene wig work in images & a shameless selfie ⬇️
A huge thank you to Stewart & Stratford East for giving me the opportunity to work on this project and of course a HUGE shout out to the lovely Alice Lessing (costume supervisor) for making sure everything slotted together perfectly. From measurements to updates, to everything in between. It wouldn’t of flowed so magically without you. ♥️
Loz xx
댓글