The 8 things Cookie and company will be wearing this 'Empire' season

Tonight - after way too long a winter hiatus - Fox's hip-hop drama, Empire, is back.

So many unanswered questions: Will Rhonda, the pregnant wife of Lucious' son Andre, survive her tumble down the stairs? And who threw her?

Will Anika ever tell Lucious' other son, Hakeem - played by handsome West Philadelphian Bryshere Y. Gray (Yazz the Greatest) - that she is preggers with his baby?

And will Lucious be able to wrest his beloved company, Empire Entertainment, from the evil, manicured clutches of Camilla, whose salty character is well-portrayed by supermodel Naomi Campbell?

These are things I cannot answer. But I do know the fashion in this power-packed episode will be on fire.

Last week, Empire costume designer Paolo Nieddu hosted a fashion show at Macy's Center City, so we chatted about what to expect this season - fashionably speaking, of course.

1. Matchy-matchy and lots of labels

Cookie, the Lyon matriarch, will be dressed in lots of matching dress-and-jacket combos, Nieddu said. Trés chic. And there will be head-to-toe labels. "It's what I'm calling logomania," Nieddu said. One of the major brands to look for will be California accessory and clothing line Le Snob, popular with style mavens like Rihanna and, yes, Kim K and her crew.

"We are talking a throwback to a very 1990s, Little Kim moment," Nieddu said.

2. Icy statement jewelry

"Look out for the diamonds," Nieddu said. That means no more brash gold or crazy-colored stones on Cookie's ear, neck, and fingers. And, Nieddu said, expect to see the other women - especially that conniving Anika - rock diamonds, too.

3. Checkerboard fur. Really

The lush fur stoles, collars, and full-length coats will still be on the show. But no more boring magenta and cobalt. Expect to see Cookie carrying at least one fur bag - possibly from Italian brand Moschino - in patchwork pattern. Fun!

4. It's all about the mani

"We did a big focus on nails this season," Nieddu said. Look for Cookie's nails to sizzle with texture and shine. Little-known fact: Taraji P. Henson, the actress who expertly plays Cookie, works exclusively with Shine Nails Chicago. Nieddu sends photos of outfits Henson will wear in advance and a manicurist creates a look suitable for the entire episode.

5. Pearls: Not just for jewelry, anymore

Anika is known for her prissy dresses and pearl studs, but in the coming weeks, pearl studs likely will be on sweaters and some of the character's other accessories.

6. Going beyond leopard

We've established that Miss Cookie loves leopard, so expect the diva's shoes and handbags to be fashioned from other skins. Like python. There also will be cute embellishments like polka dots, florals, and lace.

7. Tailoring is key

Especially for Gabby Sidibe's character, Becky. "We have her in cute jackets and tailored shirts," Nieddu said. That will likely make her more sophisticated. Some of the brands that work best for this plus-size fashion plate, Nieddu said, are from apparel company Eloquii, out of Columbus, Ohio, and from online boutique Kiyonna.

8. Vintage redux

Nieddu explained that he took a lot of vintage dresses and turned them into new pieces. "We've taken lots of old pieces and maybe altered the hem or removed a sleeve to make a brand-new dress," Nieddu said. We should look to see these dresses on Rhonda, he said. But wait a minute, I asked. "Does that mean Rhonda is not dead?"

No comment.

I tried.

ewellington@phillynews.com
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