Exclusive: Dive into the Mythical World of Loki Season 2 with Costume Designer Christine Wada!

Summary

"Loki season 2 explores the aftermath of Sylvie killing He Who Remains, leading to a multiverse war and the expansion of the 'sacred timeline.'"

"In the second season, esteemed directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead take the helm, leading a remarkable ensemble cast that includes the immensely talented Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson."

"Delving into the captivating world of costume design, Christine Wada shares her insights on the various inspirations and hurdles encountered while creating the stunning new appearances for the characters. From capturing the essence of the 1970s era to the intricacies of the World's Fair, she explores the fascinating challenges encountered during the process."

In Loki season 2, the story explores the aftermath of Sylvie killing He Who Remains and the far-reaching consequences it has on the TVA and the entire multiverse. Loki grapples with the ominous warning He Who Remains gave him about his own death, which sets off a second conflict in the multiverse as he tries to manage the ever-growing branches of the "sacred timeline." With support from both new and familiar faces at the TVA, Loki finds himself questioning the concept of free will and the nature of the multiverse, all while embarking on a mission to locate Sylvie, Renslayer, and Miss Minutes.

While Michael Waldron originally created Loki, Eric Martin takes on the role of the head writer for season 2. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead also join as the lead directing team for the second season, succeeding Kate Herron's departure after the first. The star-studded cast of Loki features Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, Jonathan Majors, Wunmi Mosaku, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tara Strong, Eugene Cordero, and Ke Huy Quan, who joins the cast for the second season.

Christine Wada Talks Loki Season 2

Screen Rant: You guys jump around from different genres and different eras. What was one of your favorite eras to explore in season 2?

Christine Wada reminisces about the excitement and joy of the 1970s, which served as a delightful transition from the TVA to the glamorous world. The transformation from uniforms to glamour was particularly enjoyable. Wada expresses her delight in witnessing characters like B-15 stepping out of their armor and uniforms. Additionally, she mentions the inclusion of a McDonald's scene and inquiries about the thoroughness of the research conducted on the vintage McDonald's outfits.

Christine Wada: The costumes for the World's Fair sequence were a standout for me. The attention to detail was truly remarkable, from the intricate designs to the beautiful cinematography. Can you share your process in designing the costumes for that particular era?

Christine Wada found it interesting to create an American feel in an era when filming was done in London, with costumes primarily sourced from Europe. She aimed to incorporate a Western vibe and looser fits, as opposed to the tighter and trim European styles. Additionally, she wanted the costumes to resemble the TVA uniforms and reflect the limited choices of the 1890s. Wada consciously restricted the palette and considered how past centuries are often perceived in black and white or colorized photography, aiming to capture that essence in the episode.

Now, Christine, Loki's character has undergone a remarkable transformation from season 1 to season 2. I dare say that even Thor would struggle to recognize the present embodiment of Loki. Can you discuss the creative process behind the development of Loki's design for this season, particularly in comparison to last season?

Christine Wada: I believe that Tom Hiddleston has significant input in the appearance of Loki.

Christine Wada: Tom's presence and performance have a significant impact on the costume design. His physicality influences how the costumes are designed, even beyond verbal input. As a designer, it is crucial to pay attention to these nuances and incorporate them into the designs. Now, moving on to Sylvie's look in season 2, we wanted to blend her Asgardian armor with a more casual style. Can you discuss the process of developing that look for her?

Christine Wada: The aim was to make her outfit reminiscent of the 80s, as she is trying to live a more authentic life. However, I also wanted to maintain a somewhat subdued palette so that she can blend in, yet still exude confidence.

From a technical standpoint, we needed to find a way to make Sylvie's arrival in the 1890s with her 80s attire not appear overly campy or ridiculous. The season focuses on internal exploration of the characters, so the costumes needed to reflect vulnerability rather than just standing out in a jarring or exaggerated way when entering different environments.

In Quantumania, Victor Timely was introduced to us, and his story is further explored in Loki season 2. Can you discuss the process of designing Victor Timely's appearance and ensuring it stands out from other versions of Kang the Conqueror?

Christine Wada: Taking inspiration from Frederick Douglass, we wanted to create a unique look for Victor Timely. The setting is the 1890s World Fair, and staying true to Loki's success in incorporating real-life elements, we aimed to make the design special and exciting. By basing it on a real person, we were able to develop something distinct for Victor Timely, emphasizing his individuality.

The subtleties of that character are phenomenal, even the small things he does.

Christine Wada took great care in paying attention to small details when creating the costume for Ke Huy Quan's character in the MCU. From the height of the pants to the posture and even the embroidery on his handkerchief, every aspect was thoughtfully considered. She even went as far as making period-accurate underwear for him, ensuring that he fully immersed himself in the time period. Ke Huy Quan's portrayal of OB is remarkable, and maintaining the TVA aesthetic was an important part of designing his look.

Christine Wada: The production design process has always been collaborative, serving as a source of inspiration. Kasra Farahani mentioned that we would explore new areas of the TVA and wanted OB and his world to have a 40s or early 50s vibe. To achieve this, I referenced period jumpsuits from that era and included a high buckle in the back as a nod to those older styles. The use of herringbone workwear from that time period helped to give OB a more retro feel. We went through various iterations of the costume, ensuring that it aligned with the overall cohesive vision. Ultimately, staying true to a more vintage and mechanical aesthetic felt right.

The character that underwent the most significant transformation from season 1 to season 2 and presented the greatest challenge for you was Sylvie. Despite still wearing her armor from season 1, I felt it was important to portray Sylvie as more vulnerable and authentic, taking the character to a deeper level. Finding that delicate balance proved to be a challenge, although working with the talented Sophia made it easier.

Can you provide any hints about upcoming visually appealing scenes without giving away any spoilers? It's a delicate balance to navigate, isn't it?

Christine Wada: I'm afraid I can't. I'm not sure how to approach it, and I wouldn't want to ruin the impact of what unfolds throughout this season. I don't believe I can say anything specific.

Tom Hiddleston, Ke Huy Quan, and Owen Wilson reunite in the highly anticipated second season of Loki.

I have a curiosity regarding the space suit. Is it an actual physical suit, or is it entirely computer-generated?

Christine Wada: I absolutely adore it. What I find particularly enjoyable and unique about Loki is our relentless effort to incorporate practical elements whenever feasible. Justin and Aaron were exceptionally committed to this approach, resulting in an almost entirely practical production. We fabricated numerous variations of the destructed version, making it quite an undertaking. Despite the challenges, the modular nature of the costumes provided the actors with a sense of flexibility.

Amongst these costumes, do you have a personal favorite? I understand that choosing a favorite is akin to selecting a favorite child.

Christine Wada: I'm currently in awe of Tom's collar. It's absolutely stunning. Oh, and let's not forget Sylvie's coat, it's truly amazing. And Renslayer? Well, I must admit, I adore her as well. I apologize, but I simply cannot choose just one. I've broken the rules.

About Loki Season 2

In pursuit of Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, Miss Minutes, and the elusive truth behind the concept of free will and glorious purpose, Loki embarks on a perilous journey through a constantly expanding and increasingly treacherous multiverse. Joined by Mobius, Hunter B-15, and a collection of both familiar and new faces, Loki must navigate these dangerous realms.

Be sure to also check out our interview with Loki season 2 executive producer Kevin Wright

Loki season 2 debuts on Disney+ on October 5.