The High Cost and Precision Behind Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Wig in Game of Thrones

Emilia Clarke’s portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones was a standout performance, with one of the most iconic aspects of her character being her platinum blonde hair. While Clarke is naturally a brunette, transforming into the Mother of Dragons involved a significant amount of work behind the scenes, particularly when it came to her wig. From the high cost of the wig to the meticulous two-hour fitting process, achieving Daenerys’s signature look required dedication and precision from a team of experts. This article dives into the details of the wig, the time and effort involved in its preparation, and the costs associated with bringing Daenerys’s hair to life.

Background on Emilia Clarke’s Hair Transformation

For the majority of Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke relied on wigs to embody the platinum blonde Daenerys Targaryen. This choice was primarily practical, as dyeing her natural hair a pale blonde repeatedly could have been damaging, especially considering the demanding filming schedule. Clarke, in fact, revealed in an interview with InStyle that “that wig did wonders — bloody hell, it was like walking around with a permanent bounce.” This highlights how integral the wig was to Daenerys’s look and Clarke’s comfort in her role.

For the final season of the show, Clarke briefly dyed her natural hair blonde. However, this was a one-off, and the routine use of wigs remained a key part of her Daenerys transformation throughout most of the series. As reported by Winter is Coming, Clarke discussed how her hair became damaged after repeated dyeing, further emphasizing the necessity of using wigs to maintain her character’s iconic hair without compromising the health of her own.

The Cost of the Wig

The wigs used to create the flawless platinum blonde look for Daenerys were far from cheap. According to Fashionista, each wig could cost as much as $7,000. This hefty price tag is due to several factors, including the length and quality of the wigs. The wigs for Game of Thrones characters like Daenerys, who wore hair lengths ranging from 24 to 28 inches, were crafted from high-quality human hair sourced from countries such as India, Europe, and Russia.

The significant cost was also driven by the intricate construction of the wigs, which required individual hair strands to be hand-knotted onto lace caps, ensuring a natural look and smooth fit. Unlike some wigs that undergo chemical processing, these wigs were made with minimal alterations to maintain the most natural look possible on screen, as was especially important for characters like Daenerys and Cersei. The combination of length, quality, and meticulous craftsmanship made these wigs essential to achieving the character’s flawless appearance, which viewers would come to expect every season.

The Wig Fitting Process: A Time-Consuming Task

Getting Daenerys’s iconic platinum blonde hair in place was no simple task, with the fitting process reportedly taking up to two hours. According to TIME, the preparation began with applying a bald cap to Clarke’s natural hair, as using a simpler mesh cap would show too much of her dark roots. This step ensured that the platinum blonde wig could be fitted seamlessly without any of her natural hair showing through.

The wig itself was then carefully placed and styled. Hair designer Kevin Alexander, who worked on the Game of Thrones set, shared in interviews that Clarke had four distinct character wigs, which were affectionately named “Dany,” “Diva,” “Candice,” and “Blondie.” The intricate process of securing and styling these wigs for each episode required a dedicated team who were responsible for the upkeep. This involved washing, setting, and styling the wigs every few days using high-quality products such as Wella and Cloud Nine rollers, ensuring that Daenerys’s hair always looked perfect on screen.

Given the complexity of applying the bald cap, fitting the wig, and ensuring that every detail was meticulously in place, the two-hour fitting time for each episode makes perfect sense. The process was not only about the initial placement of the wig but also maintaining it throughout the filming schedule, a task that required an expert team to keep the look flawless.

The Enduring Impact of Daenerys’s Iconic Hair

Daenerys Targaryen’s platinum blonde hair became one of the most recognizable aspects of her character throughout the Game of Thrones series. The effort that went into creating this look helped define the visual identity of one of the show’s most beloved characters. As much as the wig was essential to Clarke’s portrayal of Daenerys, it also became a part of the cultural landscape, with fans often associating the character’s signature hairstyle with strength, power, and transformation.

In addition to being a vital aspect of Daenerys’s appearance, the wig also allowed Emilia Clarke to embody her character fully. As Clarke herself mentioned, the wig gave her a “permanent bounce,” which helped her feel more confident in her portrayal of the formidable Daenerys. The careful attention to detail, from the high-quality materials used to the two-hour fitting process, ensured that the platinum blonde look would stand as an enduring symbol of the character throughout the show’s run.

Conclusion

Emilia Clarke’s transformation into Daenerys Targaryen required more than just acting skills; it demanded a meticulous and high-cost effort to create one of the most iconic looks in television history. From the $7,000 wigs crafted from high-quality human hair to the two-hour fitting sessions that involved a dedicated team of experts, every detail was carefully considered to ensure that Daenerys’s look remained flawless throughout the series. While the wig was an essential part of bringing her character to life, it also played a significant role in helping Emilia Clarke fully embrace her role as the Mother of Dragons, creating an unforgettable visual identity that will remain in pop culture for years to come.