So much more than just the clash of colors

When people think about it Evilthe iconic costumes will be one of the first images that come to mind. Glinda’s signature pink contrasting with Elphaba’s all-black attire is such a memorable image, and it was paramount to embrace it straight away Jon M. Chus Filming. This task was in the safe hands of Paul Tazewellthe man behind the costumes for Hamilton And Steven Spielberg‘S West Side Story. Working at MGM in 1939 Wizard of Oz In this film, Tazewell designs a wardrobe for Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) that reflects her personal and emotional journey through history. This careful design allows the important moments in the growth of the two protagonists to be physically represented in their clothing.

Elphaba’s style reflects her outsider status

Elphaba’s costume is intended to reflect her introverted nature as well as her rigidity. When we first meet her, Tazewell Elphaba is wearing all black, and not just because it mirrors her costume in the 1939 film. Tazewell told WWD that he loved the starkness of the color it reflects Elphaba’s grief for her motherwhom she lost at a young age during Nessaroses (Marissa Bode) birth. The black also reflects their positioning; She is rejected as her classmates avoid her due to her perceived differences. When she arrives in Shiz, her clothing is restrictive, with a high neckline, buttons down to the shoulder, and braided hair. Tazewell described this silhouette Harper’s Bazaar as “very strong and although reserved, it has a very direct sense of style.”

While Elphaba’s costume is one color, it is full of subtleties. Tazewell uses a trick that makes her university outfits look simple from a distance, as she would normally be perceived, but up close they are more complex and full of details. This shows that Elphaba is a complex characterand interesting, but only if you get close to her. There are nuances to Elphaba that require more than a quick glance to understand.

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It’s only in the final scenes that Elphaba’s style changes drastically. She is finally freed from the structure of Shiz University and feels more accepted in the Emerald City; Therefore, their clothing is less tailored. After talking to the magician (Jeff Goldblum) and realizing that she needs to break free from authority, Glinda gives her the iconic black cape. Her hair flows freely, with the waves representing the braids (and imprisonment) of her past. This newfound fluidity means Elphaba is finally free and able to defy gravity.

Galinda’s popularity is reflected in her wardrobe

Galinda’s outfits reflect her status in a completely different way than Elphaba. In contrast to her roommate, Galinda enjoys great popularity; She is fashion conscious and is admired by most students. Therefore, Her outfits must be contemporary and avant-garde to reflect her position as a trailblazer and someone who is extremely respected by her classmates. Their outfits are embellished to show off their adornment and are reminiscent of 1930s Hollywood icons. She is often seen with a fascinator, bag or elaborate sleeve designs.

But as the film progresses, Galinda gets closer and closer to Elphaba and she becomes softer. As they mature, their hem falls off. Although she always has her prestige, her position in No One Mourns the Wicked is much more ceremonial. The iconic bubble dress from this scene is Glinda’s most recognizable look from the entire show. It draws inspiration from real life through spirals often found in nature, as well as abstract shapes, perhaps most famously the Golden Ratio, to show Glinda’s perceived transcendence in the eyes of the citizens of Munchkinland. The translucent fabric visually reflects the bubble she travels in and the sense of transparency she conveys to the public.

Although this dress was famously blue in the original Broadway show due to copyright issues, Tazewell chose to make this dress pink in the film to reflect the iconic look she wore Billie Burke in the original Wizard of Oz Film. Wicked’s costumes are crucial as they reflect the balance and evolving relationship between Galinda and Elphaba, changing as their feelings and emotions towards each other change. Her wardrobe doesn’t simply adapt to her appearance; it merges with her insides.

Evil is currently playing in the cinema.

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Release date

November 22, 2024

Pour

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage, Aaron Teoh, Grecia De la Paz, Colin Michael Carmichael, Adam James, Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D Clarke , Jenna Boyd

Duration

160 minutes

writer

Gregory Maguire, Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, L. Frank Baum

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