It’s safe to say that the ‘Wicked’ pre-press tour has been everywhere this year, from the Oscars to the Super Bowl, and even making waves around the Olympics.
With such saturation, it begs the question: did the stars peak too soon? The high anticipation for ‘Wicked’ has brought out a series of major fashion moments, but I can’t help but feel underwhelmed by the looks that were supposed to dazzle the most. Cynthia Erivo’s Sydney premiere look fell short for me, and now Ariana Grande’s look is following suit.
Ariana’s choice of a custom Vivienne Westwood gown was undoubtedly intended to embrace her role as Glinda the Good Witch. However, this gown feels more like a costume than couture. From its puffed sleeves and corseted bodice to the crystal embellishments, this doesn’t offer the “nod” to Glinda’s style that we were expecting. Instead, it reads as a near copy-and-paste of Glinda’s traditional ensemble, with only a few alterations. It’s hard not to see this as a costume.
And let’s not overlook the addition of the Lorraine Schwartz diamond butterfly choker. While it’s undeniably beautiful, it only adds to the sense that this outfit was taken from Glinda the Good Witch’s style book.
Did it work for Margot Robbie for Barbie? Undeniably yes. As method dressing is designed to create a sense of common bond between actors and viewers.
But for Ariana, this felt like a missed chance to redefine her red carpet style in a more innovative way. Fans of ‘Wicked’ will appreciate the tribute, but I’m left wondering if there was a path for Ariana to bring Glinda to life in a fresh, elevated way on the red carpet.
Stylist: Mimi Cuttrell.
Credit: Saverio Marfia/Getty Images
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