Breaking down Elle Fanning's The Girl From Plainville transformation

EDITED BY BRiana Edwards By Lauren Huff The true-crime drama's costume designer, makeup artist, and hairstylist share behind-the-scenes photos and tricks of the trade. [{ "selector": ".zjukn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }]

The Hair

Three different wigs were used to create the bulk of the Michelle Carter looks. The first wig was 23 inches in length and covered Michelle's younger, pre-trial years. [{ "selector": ".uuxrk-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }]

The Hair

The second wig captures the "iconic shoulder-length look" that Michelle donned before she was sentenced. It was cut to match the many photos available from the trial. [{ "selector": ".anpfm-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }]

The Makeup

Makeup artist Erin Ayanian collected as many images of Michelle as she could source, and "watched every documentary out there multiple times" to prepare for her work on The Girl From Plainville. [{ "selector": ".kaasl-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }]

I wanted to be sure to note every feature of hers possible to create the most authentic match on Elle [Fanning]... It was very important that the makeup looked like a teenage girl had applied it herself.

Erin Ayanian Makeup Artist [{ "selector": ".mnzor-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".mxxxd-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".ajezx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".buiir-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Costumes

To source the clothes, costume designer Mirren Gordon-Crozier went down "a complete Internet hole" to find the exact same clothes and shoes that Michelle wore in real life. Surprisingly, that was the easy (albeit time-consuming) part. [{ "selector": ".dmcsu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }]

We see that when she meets Coco, she's a little bit more confident... Then, as we sort of see her go down this hole of depression, it's quite apparent, through her wardrobe, how she feels.

Mirren Gordon-Crozier Costume Designer [{ "selector": ".tegpa-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 550px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }]

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Breaking down Elle Fanning's The Girl From Plainville transformation

STEVE DIETL/HULU

The Hair

ERIN AYANIAN

The Hair

ERIN AYANIAN

The Makeup

STEVE DIETL/HULU

I wanted to be sure to note every feature of hers possible to create the most authentic match on Elle [Fanning]... It was very important that the makeup looked like a teenage girl had applied it herself.

“

ERIN AYANIAN

Costumes

STEVE DIETL/HULU

We see that when she meets Coco, she's a little bit more confident... Then, as we sort of see her go down this hole of depression, it's quite apparent, through her wardrobe, how she feels.

“

PHOTO CREDIT

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STEVE DIETL/HULU