Throughout the film, we see that Frenchy isn't afraid to experiment with her style but still sticks to what's trendy in 1958.Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is hopelessly devoted to Olivia Newton-John.Īt least, that was the intention behind some of the beauty looks in the new Paramount+ series, which is set in 1954 and explores the story of how the iconic girl clique originated. Sandy dons a white frilly dress for prom, a wholesome, pure choice compared to Rizzo's plunging red polka dot look and the low-cut strapless gown Marty ( Dinah Manoff) wore to catch the eye of hot shot radio announcer Vince Fontaine ( Edd Byrnes).Īnd then there's Frenchy ( Didi Conn), who looks like a beautiful blonde pineapple with her bleached hair and matching getup. And it's only when Rizzo believes she's pregnant that her wardrobe changes from sexy to sweet, as she wears a soft cashmere sweater in pastel purple during her number 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do.'Īnd when it came time for prom night, the costumes and the characters went together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. It's a stark contrast to Pink Ladies leader Rizzo ( Stockard Channing), who rules the first day of school in a black body-hugging dress with popped collars. The added detail of her floral hair accessories is a subtle reminder of her innocence and girliness. For her first day of school at Rydell High, Sandy armors herself with a bright yellow poodle skirt, matching cardigan and white button down. Sandy's wardrobe alone features a rainbow of pastels. Why the hell am I trying to be realistic? It's ridiculous!' So we just went mad with it.' I ended up thinking, 'These people are all meant to be in high school and, yet, they are coloring the grey streaks in their hair. 'I started out trying to be realistic,' Albert previously told Stylist U.K. 'But the director wanted more color. But he also left room for interpretation and imagination. When piecing together the looks for the cast, Albert pulled references from the 1950s greaser subculture that the T-Birds and their girl gang The Pink Ladies are part of. Think: Olivia's 1981 hit song 'Physical' and the skintight music video looks.īut we'd be a fake and a phony if we didn't tell you more, tell you more about the importance of the musical's other memorable fashion moments and the concept behind them.

Additionally, that same idea was happening IRL when the film premiered in 1978, with the bohemian trend of the '70s going out of style and the 1980s ushering in a new wave of strong makeup, perm hairstyles and body-hugging fashion. The daring design represents the start of a new fashion era, as the rigid style of the 1950s slowly begins to fade. While the risqué look proves Sandy's willingness to change, there's also an underlying message that the times are evolving. 'Sandy #2 was deliciously wild,' she wrote, 'and there was a great buildup of excitement inside me to finally bring her to life.' Olivia echoed similar sentiments in her 2018 autobiography, Don't Stop Believin', while discussing the dichotomy of playing two Sandys. When she came out in those tight black spandex pants, the way she walked, the way she behaved-it completely changed.' 'She hated the goody-goody look Sandy has to wear. 'Olivia Newton-John couldn't wait to get into the sexy spandex,' the costume designer revealed to Stylist U.K. From the hot number to the teased-out curls and look-at-me-makeup, this showcases Sandy's metamorphosis into a good girl gone bad. After we wrapped the film, I was lucky enough to get to keep the costume.'ĭespite literally being sewn into the tight-fitting bottoms, Olivia didn't let it restrict her memorable performance of 'You're the One That I Want.'Īfter all, the all-black vixen look-which mirrors the T-Birds' uniform-marks a pivotal moment in the film and encapsulates the emancipation of her character. 'When I walked out onto the set in them for the first time, I got quite the reaction-everyone stopped,' Olivia told InStyle in May 2018 of her famous femme fatale look. Plus, it follows the love story of high schoolers Danny Zuko ( John Travolta)-the original f-k boi and leader of the T-Birds, whose signature style is a mix between James Dean and Elvis Presley-and goody-two-shoes Sandy Olsson ( Olivia Newton-John), who later transforms into a bad girl with her iconic black skintight pants, matching off-the-shoulder top and striking red lip. There's no denying the beloved 1978 musical has transcended cinema, leaving behind an indelible fashion and beauty legacy. With a kaleidoscope of colorful outfits, bold makeup looks and hair teased to the high heavens, Grease's style moments are embedded in pop culture.įor one, the film is set in 1958, a time period that easily lends itself to glamorous looks.

Grease's impact continues to electrify 45 years after it premiered.

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