For FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Ramirez embodied the prolific fashion designer during distinctly separate phases of his life throughout the late ‘80s and early ’90s, up until his death in 1997.

“It was required from the script that Gianni was quite ill. We took Edgar down to a very pale look to get that weak and distressed appearance,” says makeup designer Eryn Krueger Mekash, who also gave Ramirez brown contacts and used a silicone bald cap to make his head shape match Versace’s. “Edgar thought that was cumbersome at first. But after seeing the reactions of people when he was in makeup, he felt more comfortable wearing it. All of a sudden, he was Gianni.”

Several hairpieces, commissioned by hair department head Chris Clark, made for the finishing touches. “By the end of it, he fell in love with all the looks and the process,” Clark says.

From ‘Versace’ to ‘Paterno’: Makeup and Hair Artists on Bringing Icons Back to Life