Get the latest gossip
Elphaba’s Dress in ‘Wicked’ Was Inspired by Mushroom Gills
"Wicked" costume designer Paul Tazewell on the inspiration for Elphaba's black dress
As Paul Tazewell was conceiving design ideas for “ Wicked,” mushroom gills served as an unlikely inspiration for Elphaba’s black dress. Says Tazewell, “She is this little oppressed girl being called out because of the color of her skin and ostracized even within her family.” He added that because of her connection and allyship to the animal community he turned to nature to define what her look would be, and that’s where mushrooms became the inspiration. Speaking with Variety, Tazewell says the idea was to “create a look and have it spring from a place of naturalness and groundedness which would be a contrast with what her power is and that she can defy gravity.” He adds, “It felt appropriate and how I wanted to represent her.
Or read this on Variety
