Makeup and hair play pivotal roles in bringing a show to life, but Davina Lamont’s expert artistry has taken it to a whole new level. With an illustrious career spanning decades, including iconic films like Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Lamont’s talent is undeniable. She has left her mark on numerous high-profile productions, from “Avatar” to “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
In her latest endeavor, Lamont served as the Hair and Makeup Supervisor for Season 2 of Amazon Studios’ “The Wheel of Time.” Looper had the privilege of visiting Lamont during a behind-the-scenes event at Jordan Studios in Prague for an exclusive sneak peek. During our conversation, Lamont opened up about the immense challenges she faced in creating the diverse and expansive world of Randland.
Lamont’s preference for headdresses
“The Wheel of Time” boasts a plethora of epic headdresses, many of which were meticulously crafted by Lamont. When asked about her favorite design, Lamont expressed her love for the Seanchan headdresses and the extraordinary level of detail involved. As the season progresses, audiences will witness the unveiling of the impressive hair and makeup beneath these headdresses, a result of extensive testing and collaboration with costume designer Sharon Gilham’s team.
Defeating the Seanchan challenge and the staggering wig count for Season 2
Undoubtedly, the Seanchan presented the most daunting task for Lamont. Additionally, the Aes Sedai residing in the White Tower posed another formidable challenge due to their distinct avant-garde hairstyles. With scenes featuring up to 40 Aes Sedai, Lamont had to ensure that each character had a unique look representative of their respective Ajah, while embodying a sense of warrior empowerment for women. Despite the immense workload, Lamont takes pride in successfully tackling these challenges.
When asked about the number of headpieces created for the first two seasons, Lamont revealed an astonishing figure of approximately 560 fittings. This translates to a repertoire of over 400 wigs, with Moiraine alone having four distinct wigs. Accounting for stunts, riding doubles, and the need for multiple hairstyles per character, Lamont emphasized the necessity of having a vast inventory on hand to meet the demands of the expansive cast.
Unveiling Rand’s hair transformation and the thrill of working with red-headed Aiel
Lamont shed light on the transformation of Rand’s hair in Season 2, explaining the character’s journey from Season 1 to adulthood. Josha Stradowski, not naturally a redhead, required regular hair color treatments to maintain his character’s appearance. Despite the seemingly effortless nature of Rand’s hair, Lamont revealed that coloring sessions took up to an hour every 19 days. Regarding the Aiel, Lamont expressed delight in working with a group embraced a fiery red aesthetic, noting that their impact would intensify towards the season’s climax.
Mastering hair in diverse biomes
The expansive world of “The Wheel of Time” spans various biomes, from deserts to jungles. Lamont discussed the challenges of creating hairpieces that could withstand different climates, ensuring actors remained cool while wearing them. She mentioned having multiple wigs on standby to accommodate rainy scenes, highlighting the need for efficiency when implementing rapid hair changes.
Loial’s beard and Episode 5’s hair-raising surprise
Regarding Loial’s design, Lamont aimed to stay true to the character’s established appearance from Season 1 while subtly reflecting his arduous journey. Adding a beard and making slight adjustments to his hair served this purpose. Lamont expressed excitement for fans to witness specific episodes, singling out the hairstyle of Egwene in Episode 5, which impressed her greatly. Additionally, she teased the inclusion of remarkable hairpieces in the finale, Episode 8.
Embracing the Robert Jordan universe
Having worked within the Robert Jordan universe, Lamont shared her enthusiasm for the challenge presented by each script. While she hadn’t read the books, Lamont absorbed knowledge from others about the intricate details within them. She expressed her genuine admiration for Jordan’s ability to create unique universes and her humble appreciation for the opportunity to bring them to life.