Wicked

recycledmoviecostumes:

This costume is arguably one of the most famous in all of cinema history.  It was first used in 1936 on Jeanette MacDonald as Mary Blake, and was used again three years later on Billie Burke as Glinda.

Costume designer Adrian is credited with creating the “gowns” for the 1936 film San Fransisco, and three years later, when he designed all of the costumes for The Wizard of Oz, he seems to have taken his previous creation from San Franciso and altered it for use on Glinda, the good witch of the North. There were some alterations, including sheer sleeves, on Glinda’s costume, as well as more glitter around the bodice and the addition of large “butterflies.” In addition, sheer sleeves were added, the trim around the bodice had some of the decorations removed from its original form in San Francisco, and the tulle in the sleeves were puffed up for Glinda.  Still, the sheer size of the gown, the cut and the placement of the stars on the skirt make it apparent that it is indeed the same gown.

It’s strange to see such an iconic gown made over, but using it again just makes sense when one considers the large cost that must have gone into the original garment. Since Adrian was head costume designer at MGM at the time, he would have recycled his costumes frequently.

Costume Credit: Kevin

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