Researcher
Jose is a skilled researcher and designer of period wig and hair styling. His recreations of historical hair and wig styles are commissioned for opera, ballet, the West End stage, film, and TV.
Historical character hair design
Image composite, Jose Rodriguez, 2020
When character design draws from a specific era, Jose researches data from paintings, magazines, and photographs where available, to reconstruct hair and wig designs of the period.
Jose constructs cages and other hair structures from metal and other materials for more elaborate wig styles based on historical data.
This work is delicate and requires balancing the requirements of staging and the comfort of the performer.
Main image: Michael Mofidian as Cesare Angelotti in Tosca, The Royal Opera ©2019 ROH. Photograph by Catherine Ashmore
Jonathan Kent's production of Puccini's Tosca, The Royal Opera Season 2018/19