THE FASHIONS
When Sophie de Rakoff Carbonell designed the costumes for MGM Pictures� Legally Blonde, she had no idea what a huge hit the film would be. But upon its release, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) and her colorful wardrobe stole the hearts of summer filmgoers, and the original Legally Blonde became one of the sleeper surprises of the year. When it came time to make the sequel, there was no question the filmmakers would bring Carbonell back to design and style Elle for her new adventures in Washington, D.C. With a new locale and storyline � but the same signature color � Carbonell worked closely with Witherspoon to update Elle Woods� closet and bring a fresh style to the nation�s capital.
�We�re coming back to Elle Woods a few years later,� says Carbonell. �She�s still the same person, but she�s more adult and has a professional job � she�s older, more sophisticated.� But even though her style has evolved, Elle is as colorful and individual as ever. �She�s definitely in her own element wherever she is,� says Carbonell.
In coming up with design concepts, Carbonell says, �Because it was more based in Washington, we took Jackie O. as our starting point and went from there � tweeds and sixties-looking Chanel and pieces like that for when she�s at work in Congressional offices.� In other parts of the film, there�s �a seventies grassroots activist look.� Though the Legally Blonde 2 costumes are quite distinctive and original, Carbonell did gain inspiration from different time periods and famous fashion statements. �A lot of the outfits have nicknames,� Carbonell continues. �There�s the Gloria Steinem outfit, the revolutionary outfit � references to more political and social figures.�
One of the reasons Reese Witherspoon is so effective as Elle Woods is that she knows the character inside and out. Witherspoon was an invaluable help in keeping the character and her clothing �distinctly Elle.� Carbonell says, �Reese is very aware of the character. She personally wouldn�t wear many of the outfits, but she knows Elle would wear them.� It�s comedy, so together they made sure to keep the costumes as fun and colorful as possible, but they always remained true to Elle.
While Carbonell created many of Elle�s new looks from scratch, several of the world�s top fashion designers helped Carbonell complete Elle�s outfits, from fabulous hats to colorful purses and around 50 incredible pairs of Jimmy Choo shoes and boots. Versace, Nanette Lepore, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Tocca, Louis Vuitton, Hogan, Anya Hindmarch, H. Stern, Mikimoto, Oscar de la Renta, Chloe, Juicy Couture, Miss Sixty, Emmanuel Ungaro, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, and William B. are just some of the designers and labels whose clothing, jewelry, and accessories are seen on Elle in the movie.
Hair and makeup are also integral parts of a character�s overall look. Witherspoon and Carbonell collaborated with hairstylist Anne Morgan and makeup artist Brad Wilder to complete the total Elle package. It was a team effort, and everyone involved is incredibly pleased with the results.
Audiences loved Elle Woods, but they also went crazy for her beloved Chihuahua, Bruiser, played by canine actor Moonie. Bruiser�s role is expanded in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde and he�s even more integral to the story. This gave Carbonell a chance to expand Bruiser�s wardrobe as well. Outfit for outfit, Bruiser�s duds give Elle�s a run for their money.
�People loved the dog in the original,� says Carbonell, �and they loved that the dog had clothes. We went into that a lot more with Legally Blonde 2. We were able to match up a lot of Moonie�s wardrobe with Reese�s outfits, specifically designing them so they would compliment each other.� Dog-clothing line Fifi & Romeo and the line�s creator, Yana Syrkin, collaborated with Carbonell on Bruiser�s many looks.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
SOPHIE de RAKOFF CARBONELL (Costume Designer) returns to design the costumes for Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde after helping to bring Elle Woods to life with the costumes for the original Legally Blonde. She recently worked with Reese Witherspoon again designing costumes for last fall�s comedy hit Sweet Home Alabama. Carbonell�s other film credits include All About the Benjamins starring Ice Cube, Wayne Wang�s The Center of the World, Crime + Punishment in Suburbia, Saturn, and Four Dogs Playing Poker.
Carbonell�s other credits include music videos for Alanis Morissette, Candle Box, REM, Rod Stewart, Robyn, Ben Folds Five, Whitney Houston, Wyclef Jean, Meshell Ndegeocello and Enrique Iglesias. Before her foray into costume design, she was West Coast Editor of Paper magazine.
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