The Who What Wear Podcast: Wicked Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Talks Glinda’s Bubble Dress, Elphaba’s Style Evolution, and the Visual Language of Oz
Nov 27, 2024
auto_awesome
Paul Tazewell, a celebrated costume designer known for his Tony Award-winning work on Hamilton and Emmy-winning designs for The Wiz Live!, joins the show for an engaging discussion. He shares insights into the creation of Glinda's iconic bubble dress, blending homage with innovation. Tazewell also delves into Elphaba’s emotional transformation through costume choices, and the unique school uniforms at Shiz University that foster individual expression. From whimsical trends to vintage shopping, his perspective on the visual language of Wicked is both enlightening and entertaining.
Paul Tazewell discusses how the costume designs in Wicked blend nostalgia with innovation, respecting legacy while appealing to modern audiences.
The evolution of Elphaba and Glinda's costumes serves as a powerful storytelling device, reflecting their character arcs and emotional transformations throughout the narrative.
Deep dives
The Vision Behind Wicked's Costumes
The costume designer aimed to create a distinct visual language for the film adaptation of Wicked, balancing homage to past interpretations with fresh creativity. Influenced by the original illustrations and the iconic 1939 film, he aimed to articulate the characters' identities through their looks. His work involved extensive collaboration with both the director and the original Broadway designer to ensure that the new designs respect the legacy while also innovating. This dual approach allowed the costumes to evoke nostalgia while remaining relevant and expressive for the film's contemporary audience.
Character Development Through Costume Design
The costume design for Elphaba and Glinda showcases a clear evolution that reflects their character arcs throughout the story. For Elphaba, the designer wanted to embody her inner turmoil and transformation, starting from a rigid Victorian silhouette to more modern and fluid outfits that mirror her growing confidence. Similarly, Glinda's wardrobe infused femininity and whimsy, utilizing a consistent pink color palette that symbolizes her character's playful but empowered nature. This thoughtful progression in their costumes emphasizes how attire serves as a storytelling device in the film.
Attention to Detail in Costume Craftsmanship
The craftsmanship involved in creating costumes for Wicked was highlighted as particularly intricate and significant to the film's overall aesthetic. Designs featured exceptional details, such as the hand-beaded bubble dress for Glinda, which required engineering to appear lightweight and buoyant. Additionally, Elphaba's costumes incorporated unique textures and patterns to reflect her connection with nature, using elements like felted fabrics to tell her story visually. These careful touches add depth to the characters and enhance the viewer's experience, inviting them to appreciate the artistry behind every piece.
Paul Tazewell is the costume designer for the film adaptation of the smash musical hit Wicked, which was released in theaters on November 22. Tazewell is a renowned costume designer celebrated for his contributions to Broadway, television, and film. In fact, in 2016, he won both a Tony for his designs in Hamilton and an Emmy for his creations on The Wiz Live! Today, he joins Who What Wear Entertainment Director Jess Baker to give us a deep dive into the development and creation of Wicked’s incredible costumes. They talk about everything from the color palette chosen for Shiz University’s uniforms to creating an entirely new pair of silver slippers inspired by 1930s court shoes and tornadoes (of course).