Inside Cookie's closet! As Empire returns to screens, its costume designer gives FEMAIL the scoop on everything from characters' favorite labels to their style overhauls

After a short break, Fox's hit drama Empire is back on the air tonight with the remaining episodes of season two. And while we're eager to find out if Rhonda's baby survives the fall and if Jamal or Lucious will win Song of the Year, if we're really honest, we're most excited to see what Cookie (played by Taraji P. Henson) and the rest of the Lyon's den will be wearing.

In anticipation, FEMAIL chatted with the show's costume designer, Paolo Nieddu, about the labels he opts for, what character will have the biggest style evolution, Mommy Dearest and more.

Not surprisingly, Paolo says 'the last eight episodes are going to be filled with tons of glamour'.

After a short break, Fox's hit drama Empire is back tonight with the remaining episodes of season two. 'They are going to be filled with tons of glamour,' shared the show's costume designer Paolo Nieddu

'They take place during the winter, so you'll see more luxurious fabrics, coats, furs and layers,' says the costume designer.

Only the best for Cookie. 'I pulled and shopped from so many different labels, but Moschino, Balmain, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Derek Lam, Gucci & Givenchy made the most appearances.'

While high-end designers are to be expected, to give the character's some real-life grit, Paolo thinks outside the box . 'I actually bought Cookie a pair of grey diamanté studded earrings from a random jewelry store in the Chicago O'Hare International airport.'

'Another time I purchased two blazers from a drag queen selling clothes in the basement of an Acme in New York City.' 

'One day we were shooting an exterior with Lucious (played by Terrance Howard) in a dressy top coat. It snowed like crazy the night before and it was freezing and windy out. Terrance showed up wearing a beautiful shearling coat that was much warmer, needless to say, so did Lucious' 

Over the span of 18 episodes, 'Cookie wore about 100 different outfits this season,' says Paolo. 'I pulled and shopped from so many different labels, but Moschino, Balmain, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Derek Lam, Gucci & Givenchy made the most appearances'

Over the span of 18 episodes, 'Cookie wore about 100 different outfits this season,' says Paolo.  

While Taraji's character is known for her over-the-top fashions, it's Hakeem Lyon's girlfriend, Laura Calleros (played by Jamila Velazquez), that will have the biggest style evolution this season as she adjusts to life with the Lyon family, according to Paolo.

'As the lead in Hakeem's girl group Miraj et Toi, she becomes more comfortable taking center stage and we begin to see that in her clothes. She goes from wallflower to blossoming rose.'

'Her style is sexy and high end, but youthful. She is more conscious of her body and her image and has more places to go,' says Paolo. 'She is on the path to being a star so I had to dress her for her fast paced and glamorous lifestyle.'

Like most television show sets, 'The closet is mostly where things live once they are done being worn, says Paolo. 'The new stuff goes into the fitting room on a "new to fit" rack.' 

Hakeem Lyon's girlfriend, Laura Calleros (played by Jamila Velazquez), will have the biggest style evolution this season. 'She is on the path to being a star so I had to dress her for her fast paced and glamorous lifestyle'

No wire hangers: 'I wish I could say the wardrobe closed looked like Joan Crawford's in Mommy Dearest (left), but unfortunately it's two rows of industrial pipe drilled into a plywood wall. The clothes are organized in categories like tops, skirts, etc.' For behind the scenes fun check out Paolo Nieddu's (right) social media accounts: instagram: @pniddy and twitter: @pmnieddu 

'I wish I could say the wardrobe closet looked like Joan Crawford's in Mommy Dearest, but unfortunately, it's two rows of industrial pipe drilled into a plywood wall. The clothes are organized in categories like tops, skirts, etc.' 

'Shoes and jewelry are in hanging organizers.' 

While Paolo keeps the wardrobe room fully stocked, on occasion you will see garments owned by the actors themselves. 'It doesn't happen often but when it does, it's always spontaneous,' says the costume designer.

'One day we were shooting an exterior with Lucious (played by Terrance Howard) in a dressy top coat. It snowed like crazy the night before and it was freezing and windy out. Terrance showed up wearing a beautiful shearling coat that was much warmer, needless to say, so did Lucious!

HOW TO GET THE COOKIE LOOK:

Sunglasses by Versace, $295; sunglasshut.com.  Coastshine Hoop Earrings by Madewell, $28; madewell.com. Pre-Owned Serpenti Tubogas 18K Rose Gold Watch by Bulgari, $24, 720; truefacet.com. Reina Longsleeve Silk Jersey Dress by DVF, $348;dvf.com; Desert Patchwork Gilet by Topshop, $125; topshop.com; High Sandals in Natural Embossed Python by The Kooples, $510; zappos.com

 'A glamorous coat is a must,' says Paolo. 'You could do vintage or faux fur, feathers or fringe, as long as there is drama. Start with 'a fitted printed dress or suit,' and complete the look with 'a large pair of gold hoop earrings, python (or snake embossed) pumps and a pair of oversized shades.'

As for the one item that ever boss lady needs?  'A Bulgari Serpenti watch in rose gold with diamonds, ' says Paolo. 

While he's not at liberty to discuss wardrobe budgets, the costume designer did divulge to FEMAIL that 'It was bigger than normal for our finale episode. There was no way around it, which you will see when it premieres!' We can't wait!

For more Empire fashion and behind-the-scenes fun, check out Paolo's social media channels: @pniddy (Instagram) and @pmnieddu (Twitter).