Ariana Grande and Schiaperelli’s Tribute to 'Wicked'

At the 2025 Oscars, Ariana Grande stunned in two custom Schiaparelli gowns. Grande’s outfits did more than just flatter her, they told the story of the Oscar-nominated Wicked movie through the thematic elements of the collections.

Her red carpet look, inspired by a piece in their Spring 2025 collection, was, according to Schiaperelli’s Instagram, “a bustier dress in pink satin duchess and nude tulle dusted with light silk, silk, and over 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones and cut beads.” Schiaparelli’s latest collection, creatively directed by Daniel Roseberry, was inspired by a trip to an antique shop, and the dull aged colors of ribbons found within. These ribbons inspired him to “create something that feels new because it’s old.” Grande’s gown, however, abandons the ribbon’s color scheme, opting to make a callback to her character, Glinda, and her iconic  “bubble dress” instead.

Despite the absence of antique colors, Grande’s Wicked-ified dress still encapsulates Schiaparelli’s vision for this collection. The movie Wicked is an adaptation of the Broadway show that premiered in 2003 and, before that, of The Wizard of Oz movie, which dates back to 1939. Grande’s performance in the Wicked movie brings new life to the almost century-old character through a fresh storyline and a more youthful interpretation than that of the original Wizard of Oz movie. The custom gown Grande is wearing is meant to highlight the role she was nominated for, a role that encapsulates Schiaparelli’s vision.

The entirety of Wicked evoked a deep nostalgia, even for viewers who went into the cinema unfamiliar with the story. The film was new and special because it revitalized old characters and a story that audiences across the world had already fallen in love with. The use of dance and musical numbers further thrust audiences into the world of Oz. The magic does not stem from the novelty of the film, but from its familiarity–much like Schapereilli’s collection, it embraces the old and makes it feel new again.

Grande’s performance at the Oscars acknowledged Wicked’s reinvention of the old. The singer performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a song from the original Wizard of Oz movie wearing another Schiaparelli piece. This piece is inspired by Dorothy’s sparkling ruby red slippers, complete with the slipper itself on the back of the bodice. Schiaparelli included a similar detail in a dress from the Fall 2024 Collection, which honored rebirth.

The performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was followed by a duet of the song “Defying Gravity” from the Wicked movie. Grande sang songs from both The Wizard of Oz and its cinematic rebirth in this dress. Schaperielli strived to tell a story of rebirth and Grande’s performance highlights the same theme–only in Hollywood rather than the fashion world.

Schapperilis's messaging did not lose its effectiveness when designers added glitter and bright colors to their work. Instead, these additions reminded those of us at home of the significance of Wicked and the origins of the blockbuster hit. Wicked is a rebirth and retelling of a classic story, introducing it to new generations, and Schapperilis's designs serve as wonderful reminders of its magic.