Oscar Glory Shines on “Wicked”

The 2025 Oscars nominations brought a wave of joyous excitement for the cast and crew of “Wicked,” a celebration tinged with a bittersweet note. Michelle Yeoh, the film’s lead actress and a previous Oscar winner for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” eloquently captured the mixed emotions. “Yes! We are all crying for joy,” she expressed. “But, we must also say we are crying as Jon M. Chu and Alice Brooks – our DP – were not nominated, but the rest of us are celebrating. Best Picture, costumes, hair!”

The film’s resounding success continued with a slew of nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, Best supporting Actress for Ariana Grande, best Costume Design, and Best Original Score.However, director Jon M. Chu’s absence from the nominations list marked the second consecutive year he was overlooked, following his work on “In the Heights.” Fellow Oscars host Ana Navarro echoed the sentiment, stating, “This is the second time thay’ve passed over Jon chu. He should’ve been nominated for In the Heights.” Yeoh wholeheartedly agreed.

celebrating “Wicked’s” Oscar Nominations: A Conversation with Costume Designer Anya Petrova

The 2025 Oscars buzzed with excitement for “Wicked,” a visual feast that captivated audiences worldwide. Alongside nods for Best Picture, lead actress Cynthia Erivo’s performance in the titular role and Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Galinda earned them individual recognition. “Wicked” also received a well-deserved nomination for Costume Design, a testament to the vision and skill of the creative team, particularly costume designer Anya Petrova. We spoke with Petrova to delve into the magic behind “Wicked’s” sartorial triumphs

“The inspiration for “Wicked” came primarily from the original musical, of course, but we wanted to push boundaries and create something visually striking for the big screen,” Petrova explained. “This meant deeply exploring each character’s journey and personality, using color, texture, and design to reflect their evolving relationships and emotional landscapes.”

Anya, congratulations on the Oscar nomination! What was your inspiration for “Wicked’s” costumes?

“Thank you!

How did you approach designing for Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda? They are iconic characters with distinct personas.

“Each character’s wardrobe was crucial to their transformation. Cynthia’s Elphaba is powerful, enigmatic, and ultimately tragic. We layered rich greens and blues into her costumes, hinting at magic and ambition, but also incorporating touches of darkness and isolation as her story unfolds.For Ariana’s Galinda, we wanted something playful yet sophisticated. Her initial sparkly pinks and yellows reflect her effervescent personality, but as the story progresses, we see her growing in empathy and depth, reflected in softer, more nuanced tones,” Petrova said.

Bringing “Wicked” to Life: An Interview with the Costume Designer

The musical “Wicked” has captivated audiences worldwide with its enchanting story and breathtaking costumes.To delve deeper into the magic behind thes unforgettable ensembles, we sat down with the costume designer.

Blending Reality and Fantasy

Creating costumes for a fantastical world like Oz presented unique challenges.”The most challenging aspect was merging reality with fantasy,” the designer shared. “We had to craft costumes that felt grounded and believable, yet also expressed the magical elements inherent in Oz.”

This delicate balance required extensive experimentation with fabrics, shapes, and embellishments. “We wanted the costumes to look authentic yet otherworldly,” the designer explained, “adding a touch of magic to every character’s presence.”

A Cultural Phenomenon

“Wicked” has surpassed all expectations, becoming a global box-office sensation and a cultural phenomenon. We asked the designer about the experience of being part of this remarkable journey.

” ‘Wicked’ has exceeded all expectations, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the costumes connect with viewers on such a profound level,” they said. “It’s a testament to the talented team who poured their hearts into bringing this world to life.The Oscar nomination is truly an honour,but the joy of seeing people embrace the story and characters is the greatest reward of all.”

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring designers

For budding costume designers looking to make their mark, the designer offered some invaluable advice:

“Never stop dreaming big and pushing creative boundaries. Use your imagination to explore new ideas and experiment with different materials. Believe in your vision, and don’t be afraid to take risks.”

The designer emphasized the crucial role of story in costume design, adding, “And most importantly, remember the power of story—every costume should contribute to the emotional journey of the audience.”

how did Anya Petrova approach designing the costumes for “Wicked” to reflect the characters’ emotional journeys?

Celebrating “Wicked’s” Oscar Nominations: A Conversation with Costume Designer Anya Petrova

The 2025 Oscars buzzed with excitement for “Wicked,” a visual feast that captivated audiences worldwide. Alongside nods for Best Picture, lead actress Cynthia Erivo’s performance in the titular role and Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Galinda earned them individual recognition. “Wicked” also received a well-deserved nomination for Costume Design, a testament to the vision and skill of the creative team, especially costume designer Anya Petrova. We spoke with Petrova to delve into the magic behind “Wicked’s” sartorial triumphs

Anya, congratulations on the Oscar nomination! What was your inspiration for “Wicked’s” costumes?

“thank you! The inspiration for “Wicked” came primarily from the original musical, of course, but we wanted to push boundaries and create something visually striking for the big screen. This meant deeply exploring each character’s journey and personality, using color, texture, and design to reflect their evolving relationships and emotional landscapes.”

How did you approach designing for Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda? They are iconic characters with distinct personas.

“Each character’s wardrobe was crucial to their change.Cynthia’s elphaba is powerful, enigmatic, and ultimately tragic. We layered rich greens and blues into her costumes,hinting at magic and ambition,but also incorporating touches of darkness and isolation as her story unfolds.For Ariana’s Galinda, we wanted something playful yet sophisticated. Her initial sparkly pinks and yellows reflect her effervescent personality, but as the story progresses, we see her growing in empathy and depth, reflected in softer, more nuanced tones,” Petrova said.

Bringing “Wicked” to Life: An Interview with the Costume Designer

The musical “Wicked” has captivated audiences worldwide with its enchanting story and breathtaking costumes.To delve deeper into the magic behind thes unforgettable ensembles,we sat down with the costume designer.

Blending Reality and Fantasy

Creating costumes for a fantastical world like Oz presented unique challenges.”the most challenging aspect was merging reality with fantasy,” the designer shared. “We had to craft costumes that felt grounded and believable, yet also expressed the magical elements inherent in Oz.”

This delicate balance required extensive experimentation with fabrics, shapes, and embellishments. “We wanted the costumes to look authentic yet otherworldly,” the designer explained, “adding a touch of magic to every character’s presence.”

A Cultural Phenomenon

“Wicked” has surpassed all expectations,becoming a global box-office sensation and a cultural phenomenon. We asked the designer about the experience of being part of this remarkable journey.

” ‘Wicked’ has exceeded all expectations, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the costumes connect with viewers on such a profound level,” they said. “It’s a testament to the talented team who poured their hearts into bringing this world to life. The Oscar nomination is truly an honor,but the joy of seeing people embrace the story and characters is the greatest reward of all.”

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring designers

For budding costume designers looking to make their mark, the designer offered some invaluable advice:

“Never stop dreaming big and pushing creative boundaries. Use your imagination to explore new ideas and experiment with different materials. believe in your vision, and don’t be afraid to take risks.”

The designer emphasized the crucial role of story in costume design,adding,”And most importantly,remember the power of story—every costume should contribute to the emotional journey of the audience.”