Wickedly good news, Target guests: This fall there’s no place like Tarzhay when it comes to products inspired by this season’s most highly anticipated film.
In fact, ahead of the Nov. 22 release of Universal Pictures’ “Wicked,” we’ll have more than 150 movie-inspired products in most stores and on Target.com. Nearly 70% of those items will only be available at Target, including limited-edition pink and green Stanley Quenchers, a special version of the soundtrack on vinyl and an apparel and accessories line created by the film’s award-winning costume designer, Paul Tazewell.
The exclusive Paul Tazewell for Target collection launches Oct. 6 with apparel, accessories, shoes and home items for adults and kids, with even more to come on Nov. 3. Fans of “Wicked” are sure to be popular in black-stripe cardigans inspired by “Shiz University” uniforms or “Wicked” “W” sweaters. And pink always goes with green when it comes to kids’ dresses, graphic tees and a “Sky is the Limit” hoodie.
We caught up with Paul ahead of the collection’s launch to talk about his inspiration in bringing the magic of the film to everyday style, his favorite pieces from his first collection for consumers, and what he hopes “Wicked” fans experience when they wear his pieces.
You have such a rich history designing for Broadway, film and television. How did you translate those experiences into your line for Target?
The challenge of designing for film, TV and Broadway taps into a very different requirement than what is needed for the fashion industry. When designing a film or theater piece, the prevailing need is to relay the story and evoke the characters as clearly and provocatively as possible. When creating for Target and “Wicked” fans, I interpreted my designs for the film with more of an eye toward current trends.
Wearing clothing from my Target collection will allow fans of the film to carry with them a sense of the excitement, whimsy and magic of “Wicked.”
Which fashion trends inspired you?
Asymmetry and deconstruction were a big inspiration for my designs for “Wicked.” I also leaned into spirals and whimsically bending stripes and patterns in the designs for the film, which you see in many of the knits and patterns throughout my collection for Target. I also love period detail borrowed from historic clothing in current fashion trends. I made use of a lot of Victorian detail, but I also worked to make it fresh in creating more of an “Oz-ian” fantasy world.
How did you collaborate with Target to make sure the collection was true to the film and your vision — while ensuring guests can wear the pieces in their daily lives?
I am thrilled to share a taste of “Wicked” directly with fans of the film and with Target guests for them to hopefully incorporate into their daily looks. It was imperative for me that there were enough design elements in the Target collection that were represented in the film. We reinterpreted the “Shiz” uniform stripes and the swirling sweater patterns in a way that winks at the original “Wicked” designs while creating fresh and current looks of their own.
I also knew that the colors and design themes of our two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, were essential to lead the style for the Target collection. We see these two women throughout their time in school at “Shiz” and the items nod to the uniforms, activewear and loungewear seen in the film.
In what ways do you hope the collection connects fans of the film to the story on a deeper level through fashion?
Wearing clothing from my Target collection will allow fans of the film to carry with them a sense of the excitement, whimsy and magic of “Wicked.” I also believe this collection offers opportunities for broader self-expression, while appealing to the whole family. That is exciting and meaningful to me.
What are some of your favorite pieces — and what do you hope Target guests feel or experience when they wear or use items from your collection?
Some of my favorite items from the Paul Tazewell for Target collection are the green “W” sweater, the black and grey “Shiz” cardigan, and the Glinda party dress. The sweat suits and hoodies are great too! I hope the clothes give their wearers a playful and exciting connection to our “Wicked” world and that it gives everyone an opportunity to express themselves in their most expansive and “Gravity Defying” way.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Guests can experience the Paul Tazewell for Target collection in most Target stores and on Target.com when it launches on Oct. 6, with the full rollout on Nov. 3. A wide range of “Wicked”-inspired products across apparel and accessories, toys, beauty, home, electronics, entertainment, food and beverage, and exclusive collectibles will also roll out for our guests throughout the season. Head here for more details on items ranging from Elphaba and Glinda Halloween costumes and accessories to Mattel’s Elphaba Singing Doll, OPI Nail Lacquer “Wicked” Collection and much more.
