The Traitors has turn out to be must-see TV for a lot of reasons, but perhaps one in all the most important stays Alan Cumming’s extravagant and wickedly outlandish looks.
Cumming’s many looks are the results of a partnership between the host and celebrity stylist Sam Spector. “It’s really an incredible collaboration. All of us kind of give our own expertise or put our own expertise into it,” Spector says of his work with Cumming and The Traitors’ production and Peacock.
“The network with what they think the viewers wish to see, the producers with what they envisioned based on the missions and challenges and the solid after which me and Alan with our creative input,” he adds.
The stylist says the technique of choosing looks lasts a few months. “It’s a process where I wait to listen to from the producers and the network [about] the challenges, after which I do a number of research and inspiration digging. That takes a few weeks, after which I actually have to present to Alan and see his feeling,” he says.
“We do a number of customization, as you’ve seen, in order that takes time,” Spector adds. “Then we ship it off to Scotland.”
Spector says his working relationship with Cumming makes the styling process easier. “I see something on the runway, I screenshot it, text it to him and say, ‘This is able to be perfect for next season,’ and he’s often on board. We appear to be on the identical page with regards to that.”
During season three of the award-winning competition series, Spector got here up with much more elaborate ensembles. “The producers are at all times like, ‘We gave you this mission, but we never envisioned something as wacky and crazy as a baby doll head as a pocket square.’”
Spector says he finds it hard to choose a favourite outfit from the season. “I loved the chess episode. I loved the child doll [episode]. I really like so a lot of them. Each one in all them becomes a baby to me because we put a lot effort and thought into each one in all them. There’s a lot detail that goes into it that every one in all them becomes so special to [me],” he says.
“It’s funny because I expect a response to every of them and the response that the fans have are completely different than what I might expect,” Spector says.
Cumming has been very vocal in regards to the fact he’s playing a personality on The Traitors, and previously told THR that he treats it like every other role. “Being on a movie, you get wearing the morning, get into your costume and makeup and hair. That may be very necessary for me, to grasp who the character is,” he said on the time.
“I believe the wardrobe plays an enormous a part of his character. We work together with his hairstylist to brighten the look, and I believe it adds to his drama,” Spector says. “I believe, also, Alan seeing the social media response, the comments and stuff are fueling his desire to be this amazing character and see how much response we’re getting from it. I believe he’s really excited by that.”
Spector also applauds Cumming’s fashion fearlessness. “He’s willing to explore and experiment with different looks,” he says. “Having the ability to play with gender and put Alan in a skirt on the underside and a tuxedo on top is amazing for me as an artist.”
He adds: “I believe Alan pulls it off so perfectly. I don’t think many guys can do this.”
