How Madame Tussauds wax figures are made

For more than 200 years, Madame Tussauds has been creating wax figures that are difficult to distinguish from living people. Many people dream of visiting London just for the sake of a few halls with artificial "Depps" and "Pitts".

During this time, Madame Tussauds has become a world-famous brand. Now the museum has more than 20 branches, which have become home to wax prototypes of Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolley, Princess Diana, Barack Obama and even Vladimir Putin. 

When it comes to creating a celebrity wax figure, every little thing is important: skin and eye color, tattoos, scars and all the most inconspicuous distinguishing features. All the figures are created in the central branch in London, and only then they are sent to their destination in other cities of the world. We offer you a look at the mysterious and fascinating process of creating replicas of the most popular people on the planet.

The production of each figure takes 3-4 months. The work is led by a team of 15 artists. On average, branches add up to seven new "celebrities" per year, and in total, up to 230 figures are produced annually in the central studio. The first step, of course, is meeting with the celebrity himself and "taking measurements".

During the "fitting", the designer collects 250 indicators: skin color, exact eye color, length, structure and shade of hair, etc.

When the measurements are made and the data is received, the sculptors create a clay model.

It is important to make sure that the layout exactly repeats the real person.

Next, a wax impression is created. The finished figure freezes for 170 hours.

At the next stage, a hairline is added to the figure.

Each thin strand is attached manually. This process can take up to 6 weeks. In the photo, the sculptors "captured" Lady Gaga.

The artist then uses oil paints to give the figure the exact skin color of a real person.

As soon as the skin is ready, the replica is supplemented with eyes and teeth. Each eye exactly repeats its real counterpart and is made individually from acrylic rubber. Teeth are created from an impression that is taken during a personal meeting.

Choosing clothes is one of the last steps. Usually celebrities give the museum things from their own wardrobe.

Finishing touches are detailed makeup, hairstyle, additional accessories.

Despite the fact that all the figures are created in London, each branch has its own workshop in which the figures are checked before the "premiere". All wax sculptures are checked daily after closing.