Joker: Folie à Deux made its cinematic debut last weekend. The highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker features Joaquin Phoenix returning as the film’s titular character, accompanied by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. 

Previously played by a plethora of A-list actors including Margot Robbie, Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn is, visually, more contemporary than before, thanks in part to her blonde bob, which is a departure from Robbie’s signature pink and blue pigtails. 

Master wigmaker and hair stylist Frederic Aspiras worked with Gaga across the duration of filming. He has earned his reputation as one of the leading artists in the industry, creating some of today’s most memorable hair looks for numerous performances, music videos, red-carpet looks, editorials and ad campaigns. In 2022, Frederic’s work was nominated for the Academy Awards in the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category for his contribution to the film House of Gucci.

Here, the wigmaker and hair stylist talks about working with Gaga to create Harley Quinn’s iconic look. 

EW: Harley Quinn is such an iconic character. How did you create a look that stayed true to the character while also putting your own twist on it?

Frederic Aspiras: “This film doesn’t stray from Harley Quinn’s iconic character but this iteration of her is uniquely grounded. The filmmakers wanted to present a more realistic and intense depiction of Harley, which made the project even more exhilarating for me. As a hairstylist and wig maker, my role was crucial in transforming traditional elements of Harley’s style into something that both feels familiar and fresh. It was a challenge to maintain the essence of Harley while adapting her looks to align with this more serious narrative but I focused on incorporating her symbolic chaos and rebellion while ensuring her style felt authentic to the film’s serious theme.”

How hard is it to replicate the same hair every day and make sure that it looks the same for each shot?

“Replicating the same hairstyle day after day for continuity can be quite challenging. Precision is key, and it requires meticulous attention to detail. I worked closely with the makeup and costume teams to make sure every aspect of Harley’s look was consistent, from her hairstyle to her overall aesthetic. We documented every step of the styling process, and even took specific measurements for product applications, to maintain continuity across various scenes.”

And what products did you use on set to do that?

“I used a range of Sebastian Professional products. For instance, I used Shine Crafter for texture and to get a polished finish. I used Taming Elixir to control frizz so that her hair looked impeccable throughout filming. Combining these products helped create a cohesive look that was still adaptable and fit the raw, emotional scenes we captured.”

Lady Gaga is so well known for her beauty looks. You worked with her on House of Gucci, how was it working with her to create such a different look? How collaborative was the process?

“Working with Lady Gaga was an incredible experience, especially since we had collaborated before on House of Gucci. This time, the look was markedly different, requiring us to step outside traditional beauty boundaries. Lady Gaga embraced the creative process wholeheartedly and it was very much a two-way street. We bounced ideas off each other and experimented with styles that reflected Harley’s unstable yet captivating nature. Her feedback was invaluable and the whole process felt seamless and  enriching.”

How different is that process from creating looks for a red carpet look?

“Creating looks for a movie is certainly different from styling for a red carpet. Movie looks need to resonate with the character’s narrative and fit within the film’s visual world. Red carpet styles tend to be more glamorous and fashion-forward but in film, everything is about the character and every detail informs the story.”

How can we achieve Harley Quinn’s shaggy look at home? What should we ask our hairdressers for and what products should we buy?

“Harley Quinn’s shaggy, fringe cut can serve as beauty inspo! You can ask your hairdresser for a choppy, textured fringe that adds dimension to your hair. Make sure you tell them that you want a style that feels playful, yet slightly edgy. For products, I’d recommend using Sebastian Professional’s Texturizing Spray to boost volume and create that lived-in, effortless look. I’d also use Sebastian Professional’s Craft Clay for definition to build a touchable finish. This combination will give you that playful Harley vibe while ensuring your look remains stylish and on point!”