The world of Legally Blonde revolves around Elle, so designing her was the first task, and the rest would build around her. The director and I both agreed to step away from the “bimbo” stereotype and instead focus on the part of Elle that is the fashionista. Elle should always look ready to be on the cover of a fashion magazine. Her style began with her engagement dress, and every look follows elements of this dress; however, slowly the world of law and professionalism influences the style. We see her trying out button ups, vests, and random lapels, to fake this idea of what a lawyer is that she has. It’s her court look that takes her out of her world. A navy blue suit, that is impeccably tailored and still stylish, but is fundamentally not her. It’s her final court look however, that takes this idea of the suit, and blends it with that very simple engagement dress that shows her journey, the pieces of her new life that she adopts, but not forgetting her true self.
With the rest of the characters, I wanted to highlight the different worlds that Elle grows through. Each section (UCLA, Harvard, the Salon, Prison, and Court) had their own distinct monochromatic color palettes, and Elle’s pink palette shows she is misplaced in each one. No matter how popular she is at UCLA, she still doesn’t belong there, and even when she tries to fit in at Harvard, she sticks out. This is until graduation; the worlds collide and are united through Elle’s leadership, friendship, and determination. Everyone decked out in pink is Elle finding her place; she didn’t have to change who she was.