USC Visions and Voices hosted a “Pink Power” conversation and fashion show at Bing Theatre on April 8. In collaboration with the School of Dramatic Arts’ (SDA) spring production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” this program explored how fashion and feminism shape the iconic early-2000s character, Elle Woods.
As audience members settled into their seats, songs like Lizzo’s “Pink” from the 2023 “Barbie” movie soundtrack and Hoku’s “Perfect Day” from the 2001 “Legally Blonde” film filled the auditorium, setting the stage for an illuminating conversation.
Moderated by SDA Assistant Professor of Costume Design Ann Closs-Farley, the panel featured USC professors Camille Gear Rich and Jenny Lin, alongside students working in the production: Lydia Berckley, Ellie Hermann and Abriana Stewart. The guest of honor for the night was motivational speaker, actress and producer Jackie Goldberg, more commonly known as the Pink Lady.
With her bubblegum pink hair and matching sparkling two-piece pantsuit and heels, there was no doubt about how she earned her name. The Pink Lady, however, wasn’t the only panel member to embrace Elle Woods’ signature color; each of the five other panelists also incorporated different shades of pink through their dresses, jackets and florals.
Kicking off the discussion on the deeper meaning behind these visual aesthetics, Closs-Farley asked the panel if beauty and intelligence coexist or compete in “Legally Blonde.”
Lin, a professor at Roski, responded that Elle harnesses both her physical appearance and internal smarts.
“They don’t have to be at odds with one another,” Lin said. “They are happening simultaneously, and [the female characters] are always stronger for embracing both.”
Rich, a professor at the Gould School of Law, added that presenting oneself in a manner considered attractive requires a skill set that, although often expected of women, is routinely undervalued as frivolous.
“You need to know about cosmetics. You need to know about color theory. You need to know about materials. You need to understand body shape,” said Rich.
The fashion show that followed brought these skills to life, as USC students walked the runway against a Harvard-esque backdrop in original interpretations of Elle’s signature style. While the color pink united the five featured designs, each outfit was thoughtfully tailored to complement each model’s unique proportions and lifestyle.
Lauren Moreno, a junior majoring in law and a minor in fashion, said that her outfit took inspiration from the dramatic silhouettes of Vivienne Westwood and “the traditional six-button suits we usually see men wearing.”
In “Legally Blonde,” Elle similarly learns to balance self-expression with structure, and femininity with masculinity. Lydia Berckley, SDA’s very own Elle Woods, observed that in the second act of “Legally Blonde,” Elle “makes blue her new pink.” In navigating the expectations of the legal profession, Elle ultimately incorporates her love for pink and fashion into her professional wardrobe, rather than abandoning her true identity.
Rich added that in figuring out her own public image as a lawyer, she viewed these aesthetic decisions as an opportunity, rather than a chore. “I approached it as a kind of sociological experiment and an opportunity to play with and…shift power.”
What one wears, then, becomes more than a fleeting decision made before leaving the house; it plays a central role in negotiating identity and creating a personal brand. This notion was especially evident for the Pink Lady, who at 93 years old, has had decades of opportunity to play around with her personal style and to discover what makes her feel the most confident in her body, even through aging and grief.
Drawing on her experience, the Pink Lady left the audience with this final piece of advice: “The color pink, if you do it right, is your marketing tool. You can be red. You can be green. You can love any color, but create who you are.”
Photos by Scarlett Khanbeigi:
