July 17, 2007

Travolta Loves Pencil Skirts

The costumes in "Hairspray," which opens this Friday, couldn't be more diverse or delicious. Michelle Pfeiffer slinks across the screen in va-va-voom cocktail dresses that beg for alcoholic and carcinogenic accessories. John Tavolta, in drag and as big and nimble as Babar, minces around in color coordinated sets that compliment his unending curves. And break out 4'10" star Nikki Blonsky flaunts her plump arms and round backside with the pride of a Rockette.

"I wanted to show houglass figures and waists and hips," says costume designer Rita Ryack, who also oversaw the sartorial look of "Casino" -- who didn't love Sharon Stone's pantsuits and Bob Mackie gowns? "It was 1962, but we weren't yet seeing those mod A-line dresses that represented the freedom of the sixties."

Ryack's biggest wardrobe challenge was, well, Travolta. The actor saw the character as a party girl and great dancer who had gained 100 pounds and was ashamed to leave her house. His style icons were Sophia Loren and Anita Ekberg. He had a thing for pencil skirts.

What struck The Stylephile most was the manner in which Ryack dressed these plus-size women. They looked sexy and graceful and confident. Conversely, Pfeiffer--as the vindictive twig Velma Von Tussle -- seemed as inviting as a romp in a bed of coral. In this case, bigger was much better.

Ryack has a keen eye for vintage, of course. She shared a few of her favorite vintage shops with us:

1. The Way We Wore - 334 S. LaBrea Ave; 323-937-0878
2. Golyester - 136 S. LaBrea Ave; 323-931-1339

July 17, 2007 in FASHION | Permalink