The Intriguing Art of Deception: Unveiling the Secret World of Lioness Costume Design

Summary

The finale of Special Ops: Lioness airs on September 3rd, and Cruz's romance with Aaliyah might jeopardize the military's mission.

Kimberly Adams, the costume designer, expresses her enthusiasm for being a part of the show and highlights the difficulties she faces while designing costumes for a diverse set of characters. Authenticity and thorough research are crucial elements for Adams when it comes to creating outfits, particularly when representing Aaliyah's distinct Middle Eastern heritage and Cruz's various undercover identities.

The season finale of Special Ops: Lioness is quickly approaching, with the final episode airing on Sunday, September 3rd on Paramount Plus. Cruz (played by Laysla De Oliveira) has been successful in her undercover role so far, but recent feelings have put everything she has worked for at risk. The growing romance between Cruz and Aaliyah could have serious consequences for the wedding and potentially jeopardize the entire military operation. Whether Cruz will be able to maintain her charade and make the difficult decision to sacrifice the person she cares for most remains to be seen in the upcoming episode.

Kimberly Adams is the talented costume designer behind Special Ops: Lioness, with an impressive portfolio that includes work on notable television and film productions such as Stranger Things, Kandahar, and Breakthrough. The series, created by Taylor Sheridan, features a star-studded cast including Zoe Saldana, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Nicole Kidman, Stephanie Nur, and Hannah Love Lanier.

Kimberly Adams Talks Special Ops: Lioness

Screen Rant: What were you most excited about when you found out you’d be working on the show?

Kimberly Adams: These characters got me incredibly thrilled, and my utmost intention was to infuse them with an unparalleled authenticity. Over the past few years, while engrossed in various projects, I have discreetly embraced my inner nerd, particularly reveling in the intricate world of CIA operatives.

Observing your diverse involvement across numerous genres, including costume design in films and other notable shows such as Stranger Things, I am curious about how Special Ops: Lioness provided you with a platform to fully unleash your creative potential.

Kimberly Adams: It's incredibly enjoyable to immerse myself in. The wide array of characters offers endless excitement as I delve into their unique worlds. This aspect of my job is truly rewarding as it presents a constant challenge. The diversity from one project to the next keeps things fresh and stimulating. Exploring familiar yet undiscovered worlds is invigorating, particularly when it comes to uncovering the backstories of these characters and contributing to their growth and the advancement of the narrative.

Clearly, a significant portion of the costumes revolves around the distinct uniforms worn by soldiers during operations. Did you conduct your own research or collaborate with on-set advisors to ensure utmost authenticity in every detail?

What message did you want Aaliyah's attire to convey to the audience?

Kimberly Adams: It's fascinating. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia the previous year, which gave me a deep immersion into the Middle Eastern culture. I was excited to create an authentic portrayal of Aaliyah and her affluent friends in the United States, showcasing their unique essence to a Western audience. Living in Saudi Arabia for six months, I realized that the Middle East is vastly different from popular perception, and I aimed to capture that truth as closely as possible.

Cruz, too, exhibits a wide range of clothing choices as she embodies various identities. How does her undercover wardrobe contribute to the intricate backstory she has crafted for herself?

Kimberly Adams: Working with Laysla was an absolute delight. Collaborating with her on her character's development was a joy. We delved into her backstory, exploring her relationship with her boyfriend and a glimpse into her family dynamics, before seamlessly transitioning her into the military world. The transformation was incredible, as she had so many different looks to portray. On top of that, it was a challenge for her to convincingly portray an ordinary young woman unconnected to the CIA, but she did it with finesse. Our close collaboration helped shape her character's journey as she interacted with Aaliyah's friends and immersed herself in their world. It was an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Kimberly Adams: Yes, I prepared tear sheets to serve as a starting point for the looks of the characters. Although they weren't completely fixed, I presented them to Taylor and the producers. I collaborated closely with John Hillcoat, our director, as well as the other directors who worked on different episodes. We discussed ideas on how to make things authentic, how to integrate with the sets, and how to align with the scenes.

Did any character pose a challenge in finding their desired appearance or did everything fall into place once you became acquainted with them?

Kimberly Adams: Every character presented its own challenges due to the large number of them. The most demanding aspect of this project was shooting all episodes simultaneously. We didn't follow a sequential order of shooting episode 1, then 2, then 3, or even shooting two at a time. It involved working on bits and pieces of each episode at various times, with a constantly fluctuating schedule due to actors' availability and other factors. It was a significant challenge to approach it as an eight-hour feature film in terms of organization and coordination.

In my entire career, shooting chronologically has never been the norm. There have been a few instances where it was necessary, such as when working with child actors whose ages needed to be accounted for. However, this is quite rare. In episodic productions, a technique called cross-boarding is commonly employed. This involves shooting different components of multiple episodes simultaneously to efficiently utilize set and scheduling resources.

Did you connect easily with any of the characters and already had a clear vision for their appearance?

Kimberly Adams: Yes, I visually planned it out. Specifically, I drew inspiration from Laysla's background and her life before joining the military as a marine. I wanted to show her growth and transformation. I can't say it was easy for any of the characters because nowadays, shopping can be challenging. It's difficult to find what you need in physical stores, and sometimes online purchases may not match their appearance in photos.

But working with Laysla as a character was truly enjoyable. Zoe's character underwent a transformation from my original vision. She had a desire to break away from the norm and bring a unique essence to her role. This allowed her to seamlessly transition between fieldwork and engaging with her boss on the Hill. It was a delightful experience collaborating with Zoe to unravel what defined Joe's character, drawing upon her background and family influences.

As the season draws to a close, we eagerly anticipate the airing of the final episode, while also crossing our fingers for the possibility of a second season. If that opportunity arises, do you envision yourself returning? Or would you be inclined to explore new projects?

Kimberly Adams: I've got a couple of other things that are a possibility. The strike has sort of changed everything this year, so who knows where things are going?

About Special Ops: Lioness

Based on an actual program within the US Military, “Lioness” chronicles the journey of Joe (played by Saldana) as she navigates the delicate balance between her personal and professional life. As a crucial figure in the CIA's fight against terrorism, Joe serves as the forefront in the agency's mission. Overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (played by Kidman), the Lioness Program deploys a determined Marine Raider to work undercover alongside Joe as they infiltrate the influential figures involved in State terrorism. It is through these covert efforts that the CIA aims to prevent another catastrophic event like 9/11.

Check out our Special Ops: Lioness interview with Paul Cameron as well.

The season finale of Special Ops: Lioness will be available to stream September 3rd on Paramount+.

Source: Screen Rant Plus