Ever since the movie came out, Wicked has been a sensation. With a box office total of $650 million, the movie is the sixth-highest-earning film of 2024. Apart from the incredible dance routines and nostalgic soundtrack in Wicked, the costumes have also been a hit to both fans and the fashion industry as a whole.

Paul Tazewell is the Wicked costume designer for both films in the two-part series. He shared some of his thoughts, feelings, and processes behind the spellbinding wardrobe in the first release with Teen Vogue. Tazewell reported that a major part of his inspiration for Elphaba’s wardrobe came from nature; some of Elphaba’s dresses have a root and vine detailing that connects to the movie through her protests for animal rights, a part of the same natural world Tazewell was inspired by. As for Glinda, Tazewell was especially proud of the “bubble dress” that the character wore at the beginning of the film. He even compares the garment to a James Charles evening gown, which is known to be distinct, extravagant, and complicated. Tazewell described the bubble dress having a hoop skirt underneath, giving it shape, with nylon and silk organza layered on top, supported by structures made of coils. All the fabric was then foiled with a bubble design and beaded to give it the show-stopping look seen in the movie. The bubbles seen throughout the garment connect to Glinda’s “bubbly” and upbeat personality.

Both characters exhibit an hourglass silhouette where the waist appears smaller than the shoulders and skirt, although Glinda’s is much more profound. Tazewell revealed to Teen Vogue that both characters were corseted to achieve the figure. This silhouette has been prominent throughout history, but Christian Dior was a major player in bringing it back after WWII with his style the “New Look.”

The film’s presence greatly impacted the international fashion industry. As Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) have been traveling the world promoting the movie, they have been wearing various brands in their character’s signature colors: green and pink, respectively. It all started when the trailer was first promoted at the Super Bowl in 2024, where Erivo and Grande wore matching green and pink sparkly jerseys custom-made by Louis Vuitton. The color scheme has been extended all the way to the Los Angeles premiere where Erivo sported more green Louis Vuitton and Grande pink gingham Thom Browne, similar to the gingham pattern worn by Margot Robbie in the Barbie movie released the previous year. At the Sydney premiere, Grande wore a pink Vivienne Westwood gown while Erivo traded her normal green wardrobe for a black Louis Vuitton dress. 

Major fashion brands have caught on to the Wicked frenzy. Béis, a travel company, has made green and pink suitcases, tote bags, and toiletry cases, some of which have already sold out. Marc Jacobs, a well-known American fashion designer, has also indirectly alluded to Wicked by collaborating with Warner Bros Discovery Human Products to create a Wizard of Oz inspired series. The designer's famous “Sack Bag” was modified to show Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and allude to her dress with a blue gingham print. Jacobs also created his take on the classic red shoes, giving them rhinestones and a platform sole. To really complete the look, both items were photographed on a yellow brick road set.

With the second installment of Wicked releasing on November 21, 2025, new costumes will be on screens in less than a year, so the influence of Wicked will continue to grow. Expect the return of the cast from the first film, as well as the possible entrance of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. In short, Wicked: Part 2 will bring surprises, and the fashion world is sure to react in a bewitching way.

Information received from Vogue, Teen Vogue, and Box Office Mojo