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What Information technology'due south Like To Bejewel 'Empire's' Cookie

Paolo Nieddu shared all the behind-the-scenes details

Empire is back on Play tricks for a quaternary flavour starting tonight! The dramatic storylines, original music and ability-playing actors are merely a few of the reasons the evidence is and then eagerly predictable. If that's non enough to lure you lot, the killer fashions and jewelry volition proceed you highly entertained. The style queen of Empire, of course, is Taraji P. Henson's Cookie.

Taraji P. Henson wearing diamonds and furs in Season three of 'Empire' Photo Getty

If you are not familiar, let me give you lot a quick run-down on her character. A forcefulness to be reckoned with, Cookie Lyon grew upwards in the streets of Philadelphia, but now fights her way through the fast paced and glamorous life of the Lyon family record characterization in New York City. Ever dressed in sexy, over-the-top, designer ensembles and ballsy jewelry, at that place is zilch Cookie can't rock. Her derisive classics include animal prints, trunk con dresses, flooring length furs and huge gilt hoop earrings. She absolutely owns all of it in a way that has real life style folks fawning. Vogue'southward EIC Anna Wintour is a fan.  Need I say more?

The human backside the powerful, chic woman is three time Emmy Nominated costume designer and stylist, Paolo Nieddu who resource jewelry from a long list of designers including Jennifer Fisher, Jacob & Co, Iradj Moini, Kenneth Jay Lane, Stephen Dweck and many more. Read my interview with Paolo below to learn more about the process of costuming 1 of TVs fashionable shows.

Taraji P. Henson in one of her signature jewelry styles big hoops in Season iii of 'Empire' Photo FOX via Getty

You are known for your unique, bold looks.  Is that something you look to accessories and jewelry to achieve?

I'k such an accessories person! I dear brooches, big earrings and rings and a "more is more arroyo." 1 of my favorite moments was covering the Manolo Denim boots in brooches for Taraji. People are ever shy with big jewels and I hope I've changed some minds.

Taraji P. Henson wears the Rihanna ten Manolo Blahnik boots with a Cookie touch—bedazzled in Kenneth Jay Lane brooches in Season 3 of 'Empire.' Photo @tarajiphenson /Instagram

What is your process in dressing Cookie? Does Taraji ever contribute to her character's look?

I am so lucky to go to work with Taraji. She is very respectful of my procedure, she allows me to play wearing apparel up on her and lets me be an artist. She will only have specific requests out of comfort for what the graphic symbol is doing in that particular scene like if it'southward outdoor or requires a lot of movement we may go with pants over a skirt etc.

Taraji P. Henson wears a Iradj Moini necklace, Stephen Dweck ring and Judith Leiber clutch in the Flavor ii 'Empire' finale. Photo @tarajiphenson /Instagram

How has the reaction to the show and Cookie's fashion been for you?

It'south been actually amazing to hear people reply or recall certain looks. I honey that she has become a fashion icon.

Taraji P. Henson wears Kenneth Jay Lane bangles and Jacob & Co (aka Jacob the Jeweler) earrings and ring in a black necktie event in season three of 'Empire.' Photo @pniddy/Instagram

How have your previous experiences in styling prepared you for Empire?

Working with the late Annabel Tollman at Interview on celebrity and editorial shoots, prepped me immensely for my feel working with Patricia Field on mode-oriented projects like Sex activity and the City and Ugly Betty.

Makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff touching up Taraji while Nieddu adjusts her Gucci necklace behind-the-scenes of a Season three episode of 'Empire.' Photograph @pniddy/Instagram

What is your inspiration for the creating the characters looks?

It's such a mix of the actual actors' power to wear things that compliment them while defining whom the character is. For example, Yazz [who plays the youngest son, Hakeem Lyon] is able to carry very over the top men's manner, so I run with that for his character. I spent months before the pilot was filmed doing fashion inquiry for each ane from looking at baroque paintings to pictures of real people.

In between takes, Taraji wearing a total Prada look and Jennifer Fisher earrings in the season 3 finale of 'Empire.' Photograph @pniddy/Instagram

Where can we expect Cookie'southward way to become this flavor?

Cookie volition keep to exist fabulously decadent as she makes her ain rules.

Vintage Christian Lacroix brooches Nieddu collects for the show. Photograph @pniddy/Instagram

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