As Jamie Lee Curtis walks through the doors of Wigmaker Associates in Beverly Hills on a sunny July morning, she is immediately greeted by a vast collection of famous names. Canvas blocks lined with monikers cover the shelves, representing the wigs custom-made for Ana de Armas, Millie Bobby Brown, and Amanda Seyfried. Curtis takes in the sight, stopping to give a special kiss to the canvas head named Christopher Guest, her filmmaker husband of many years. She recognizes another name, Margo Martindale, from their work together on the show called The Sticky. Curtis marvels at the fact that, at her age, she knows so many people in the industry.
During her two-hour visit to the atelier, Curtis is anything but jaded. Despite her long and successful career in Hollywood, she greets each employee with a handshake and shows a genuine curiosity about their work. As someone who has been in show business since the age of 19 and grew up with parents who were movie stars, Curtis is fascinated by the art of wig-making.
Curtis’ collaboration with Wigmaker Associates can be traced back to her reprisal of her iconic role as Laurie Strode in the rebooted Halloween franchise in 2018. At the time, the atelier was owned by Victoria Wood, a highly experienced wigmaker who had worked with notable names like Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, and Sigourney Weaver. Curtis was drawn to Wood’s style and had a wig made to replicate her look for the Halloween character. She even ordered the same glasses and wore a cross necklace like Wood’s. This attention to detail paid off when a photograph of Curtis as Wood’s doppelganger became the only picture from her career displayed in her home.
In 2020, Wood passed the reins of the company to her protégé, Rob Pickens, who was just 28 years old at the time. Pickens’ journey to becoming a wigmaker started in elementary school when he developed a passion for the entertainment industry. While initially interested in other aspects of production, he became fascinated with wigs after witnessing a quick change during a backstage visit. At the age of 8, he taught himself the craft using an old hairdressing and barbering book he found on eBay.
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Pickens’ talent and dedication led him to opportunities working with professionals in the industry, including Linda Flowers, a renowned hair designer. After a phone call and a weeklong apprenticeship, Pickens enrolled in cosmetology school and began assisting Wood in her home. He eventually became the manager of her shop and, when Wood was ready to slow down, Pickens took over the business.
Curtis continued working with Wood on the Halloween franchise, and when Pickens took over, their collaboration continued. Curtis appreciates the tradition and creativity involved in wig-making and is impressed by the environment created by Pickens and his team at the atelier. She describes the process of creating a character as a collaborative and emotional journey, and she feels supported and elegant in the atelier’s space.
Wig consultations at Wigmaker Associates are a meticulous process that can span months. Input is gathered from filmmakers, showrunners, and various departments involved in the character’s appearance, including costume and hair. The first step involves the actor sitting in Pickens’ chair for a consultation, where styles, colors, and materials are discussed. Then, the team meticulously hand-ties knots to create each custom wig.
Curtis appreciates the artistry and attention to detail that goes into creating each wig. Whether it’s wigs for her own roles or those worn by her fellow actors, Curtis recognizes the significance of these creations in bringing characters to life on screen. And with Pickens at the helm of Wigmaker Associates, Curtis knows she can count on the atelier to continue delivering exceptional work for years to come.
