How the costumes in 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' remain memorable after 30 years.
The first scene of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" debuted at the Cannes Film Festival 30 years ago. Tim Chappel, one of the movie's costume designers, shared with CNN that he made the dress in the movie for himself. He made it during the Miss Teen USA beauty pageant as Miss Silicon Valley, when his supervisor Stephan Elliott (the film's writer and director) wanted him to create female characters without obscure elements like the party shop boobs. However, Chappel wanted to make it funny and interesting.
The story follows Tick, a friend in grief (played by Terence Stamp), and two drag queens, Adam Whitley/Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Guy Pearce), as they embark on a cross-Country road trip across the outback in their bus Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, combining music and exploration. This was a unique time in Sydney as it wasn't connected to the internet, and the drag scene flourished with its distinct visual language in storytelling and sexual politics.
At that time, it was Chappel's first significant opportunity to express himself as a designer. He said, “I just really wanted to make (the film's costumes) unique and entertaining.” The film received praise for its specific fashion, leading them to win an Oscar in 1995. Among many iconic looks was the flip-flop (or 'thong', Australian term) dress. This dress was assembled using only $15 shoes from Target, which Chappel got with his mother's staff discount, and a lot of ingenuity because their at-the-time meager budget. However, this dress made of shoes has survived.
Chappel's contributions to the film extended past glitzy costumes, as he designed the headpieces for the trio's performance of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" for a group of First Nations people. Instead of mimicking Gaynor's hairstyle, he added flowers to the headpieces, resulting in the loss of their hair altogether due to the proliferation of flowers.
Drag artist and costumer Philmah Bocks praised the costuming in the film. She said, “The thong dress is a very iconic piece because of its Australian stereotype... 'Priscilla' has captured a moment in Australian time and used Australian culture and flora and fauna to create these wonderful pieces.” Philmah Bocks' 30 years in the industry began when "Priscilla" was on the big screens. "The art of drag costuming is turning drab into fab," she continued. "That's what 'Priscilla' demonstrated because a lot of that design was happening in Sydney in the early '90s, and queens could craft dreamy looks with found items, and with a little creativity." She summed up Chappel's influence on drag costuming, saying, “I've been replicating his costumes for 30 years. He has a lot to thank for!”
In summary, the costume designs of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" were one of the film's major attractions. Using the same budget-friendly approach to creating the flip-flop dress shouted great bargain deals. The friend who lost his wife and the dynamic duo, while on an adventure across the outback with their pimped bus showcased flamboyance in an unspoiled Aussie context. The ingenuity displayed by the costuming designers has built a lasting legacy in the drag industry, proving you don't need a huge budget to shine brightly.
Bocks is famed for her foam, or 'Phoam', wigs, a style also showcased in "Priscilla" which she created for London's successful musical "Priscilla the Party!" along with for Katy Perry in an episode of "American Idol". These creations also adhere to the 'drab to fab' concept: they're made from materials sourced from hardware stores. "I recollect purchasing this item from the hardware store aware that it would end up on Katy Perry's head, and that made me chuckle slightly," Bocks remarked. "By the time I had completed it, it bore no resemblance whatsoever to its original form."
Spirit of Ecstasy
The most memorable costume from "Priscilla" is undoubtedly the silver lamé gown worn by Adam/Felicia during their operatic performance atop the moving bus. The idea for this ensemble was derived from the Rolls Royce "Spirit of Ecstasy" bonnet ornament, although, as always, the final result diverged from the original script.
Felicia's wind-swept arioso appears following the bus being graffitied with homophobic slurs - a reminder of the community's tenacity in the face of prejudice and adversity. "Priscilla" obtained a standing ovation at Cannes 7 months prior to Australia legalizing homosexuality at a national level; 3 years before Tasmania passed similar legislation, and during a time when the AIDS epidemic was still prevalent. Nonetheless, Chappel remembers this era as representing a positive change: novel HIV treatments were under development, replacing the hazardous dose of the AZT medication previously prescribed. "Priscilla", in Chappel's opinion, encapsulates the renewed sense of optimism and vitality experienced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Recently, Stephan Elliott revealed that a sequel to "Priscilla" is being planned, with Chappel set to contribute. Additionally, "Priscilla" has had a theatrical adaptation since 2006, showcasing Chappel's costumes globally. The film's influence extends to Australia's current drag scene and, since 2021, has reached new viewers through contestants on "'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under'".
"In case I am hit by a bus tomorrow," Chappel mused, "my final thought - besides 'ouch' - would be 'I've made an impact, that's sweet'."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
