Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1530961
26 • THE ARTISAN SPRING 2025 In the gritty streets of Gotham, every detail plays a role in storytelling. For HBO's The Penguin, hair design was crucial—not just as an aesthetic element but as a narrative device reflecting character evolution, emotional shifts, and the dark undercurrents of the show. While Mike Marino led the design for Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobb or Oz (aka The Penguin) is what we call him, I had the privilege of helping the SPFX team with the wig application and styling. It was an absolute pleasure working with Colin. However, the true focus of my work was on the hair designs for several key characters, especially Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone. So, I had to get additional help just to work with Colin through the remainder of the series. Sofia Hair Evolution Sofia Falcone's hair undergoes one of the most dramatic transformations in the series, mirroring her internal descent into madness. I was particularly excited to embark on this journey with Cristin Milioti because she had an acute eye for character creation as well as fashion so I could tell instantly that our collaboration would be in sync. Just as myself, Cristin loves fashion in an edgy way as not to be overstyled but more textured and a bit askew. We knew we had a story to tell with Sofia's hair styles. Daddy's Little Girl Sofia Falcone's hair in The Penguin serves as a visual metaphor for her psychological descent and transformation. Introduced as "Daddy's little girl," Sofia's debutante look is polished and deliberate— innocent, youthful. After being arrested and involuntarily committed to Arkham Asylum, Sofia's hair becomes a physical manifestation of her trauma and unraveling mental state, embodying the raw emotions and lack of control she experiences. This unkempt texture reflects the deconstruction of her former image, paving the way for her eventual transformation into a psychopathic killer with a bold, razor-cut mullet that visually breaks free from her past. Classic Elegance At the start, Sofia's hair is styled in a sleek, Chanel-inspired look—soft waves that are carefully structured to project a controlled, sophisticated image. The hair is designed to disarm others and keep her intentions hidden, reflecting her desire to appear non-threatening while maintaining a powerful presence. The Wolf Haircut As her mental state deteriorates, her hair evolves. Sofia begins cutting her own hair, creating a jagged, wolf-inspired look that is both textured and symmetrical but intentionally unkempt. This represents her loss of control, with the hair style acting as a visual manifestation of her unraveling state. The Mullet Reveal Sofia's final transformation is marked by a razor-cut lace wig that is meticulously designed to resemble tentacles. These textures take on a life of their own, shifting with her mood and signaling her full embrace of chaos. The wild, unpredictable styling aligns with her transition into her true, psychopathic self. Victor's Urban Edge Rhenzy Feliz's Victor THE PENGUIN Feathering Through B Y B R I A N B A D I E D E P A R T M E N T H E A D H A I R / H A I R D E S I G N E R