Dom Forletta: The hairstylist crafting Chappell Roan’s shapeshifting looks – Dazed
JOIN CLUB The Dazed Beauty Community is our ever-expanding encyclopaedia of creatives and emerging talent from across the world who are redefining the way we think about beauty. Discover them here.When Chappell Roan performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk last March, the world sat up and took notice. Yes, the songs were joyful and inescapably catchy, her vocals both commanding and intensely vulnerable. But it wasn’t just that. It was her striking appearance that caused many to pay attention: the make-up that was part-drag queen, part-clown, with lipstick purposefully smeared on her teeth and a towering wig scattered with cigarette butts and butterflies which was so instantly iconic that the NPR asked if they could keep it as a souvenir.Responsible for eye-catching creation was Dom Forletta, the hairstylist behind many of Roan’s memorable hair looks which have become a key and signature component of her artistic vision. From the green hair for her Statue of Liberty look, the ‘Roan of Arc’ braids or the icy blonde wig on Jimmy Fallon, Forletta helps transform Roan as she shapeshifts from one character to the next. “The one thing I always come back to is that hair gives you the ability to play any role you want,” he tells Dazed. “You can be whoever and whatever you want to be, and it’s my job to help people feel that.”While he gained widespread recognition last year through his work with pop’s it-girl, however, Forletta has been building his hair empire for years. Growing up in New York, his earliest beauty memory was being awestruck by the tousled, wind-swept hair of Disney’s Pocahontas. At 18, he left New York for Los Angeles where he started perfecting his craft and honing in on his aesthetic which he describes as “hot, ugly, messy”.Since then, he’s created majestic looks, from towering stacked updos to short snippy pixie cuts, for the likes of Kesha, Rebecca Black, Mahmood, Devon Lee Carson and of course, Chappell. We speak to the hairstylist about his journey into the industry, the inspiration behind some of his most famous looks, and his ultimate beauty icon.Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up?Dom Forletta: I grew up in a town outside the city on Long Island, New York. It was an interesting place to grow up. It’s funny to be from somewhere that is so different from who I am today. But I guess deep down, I do have Long Island Italian tendencies.What is it you do and why do you do it?Dom Forletta: I am a hairstylist! It’s one of those things that just always excites me. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with the way hair moves and how people wear it. Still to this day, I get excited about it.How did you get into it?Dom Forletta: My mum has beautiful hair. She used to bottle up ocean water and spray it in her hair all year long to give it a beachy look. I couldn’t keep my hands off it. It didn’t take long until I realised that this is what I needed to do.What’s been your career highlight so far?Dom Forletta: As the years have gone on, every year has gotten better for me. As of recently, I got to be part of Chappell Roan’s first Grammy win. It was one of the best days of my life. I felt just as happy for her as I did for myself and the whole team!Who is your beauty icon or favourite look of all time?Dom Forletta: This might be the obvious answer, but Björk! It’s the risk-taking for me. She’s really mastered the line of looking hot and insane at the same time. She can do no wrong for me.Chappell Roan’s hair has become synonymous with her persona. How did you first land on that as her signature? Does any particular look stand out to you as a favourite?Dom Forletta: I can’t take responsibility for this. She has amazing hair and had that before me! I’ve only been there to enhance the magic of what she already has. The Grammys carpet was one of my favourites to date. I also loved Tiny Desk – it was iconic.Could you talk us through the iconic Tiny Desk wig look? What was the inspiration behind itDom Forletta: The inspiration was very camp. More is more was definitely the vibe. When I was building the wig, it just kept getting bigger and bigger until we landed where we did.With Chappell’s growing popularity, did you feel inspired to experiment more with the looks or is there more pressure to conform to a certain style?Dom Forletta: I think innovation has been key here. I love working with her – she’s always willing to experiment.Which fictional character do you most relate to?Dom Forletta: Ms Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. She’s independent, she takes chances, she gets messy and she gets answers through experience. When do you feel most beautiful?Dom Forletta: Probably when I’m well rested, which happens like once a year.Are you optimistic about the future?Dom Forletta: It’s kind of hard to be today, but in a way, yes. I think that so much art is going to come out of these times. We just need to keep fighting and expressing ourselves, staying true to who we are and standing up for what we believe in.You have to replace part of your body with that of an animal or a mythological creature. What do you go for? Dom Forletta: Oh my god, I would love a tail. How cute to have something to play with all day long!You have the ability to live in a video game. Which would it be and why?Dom Forletta: Yoshi’s World! First off, they’re so cute. Their world is so colourful and sweet. But now that I think of it, they’re always on the run from some shit… hmm.
