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Thursday, October 09, 2025
‘Showgirls’ at 30: Costume designer on the movie’s enduring legacy
CNN: Throughout her four-decade career, costume designer Ellen Mirojnick has been lauded for transporting viewers across time and place, from the metaphor-heavy suiting of Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” to the elaborate period pomp of Emmy-winning “Bridgerton.”
I find the comments at the beginning of the article both humorous, but also a proper reflection of a common person's understanding of costume design (specifically for film). It is also just so true the way Mirojnick speaks about it, mentioning how it was just as difficult, if not more than a more traditional production. Not only were her costumes successful, but she had a heavy hand in helping ‘Showgirls’ achieve its cult classic status. The clothes represent change within the movie and larger story arcs relating to the characters. It is a silent language that is so incredibly important. Speaking of importance, a big part of this article is how this costuming can be done wrong. Even if it seems simple, rhinestones, short skirts, etc. there has to be development and nuance to the life of said showgirl, and Mirojnick really stands out in an understanding of the subject matter.
I think it’s kind of amazing how Showgirls went from being trashed to now getting this weird kind of respect. It’s one of those movies that people love to hate but also can’t stop talking about. Even if it’s messy, it clearly left an impact. I like that the article talks about how the movie has been rewatched and rethought over the years because it shows how opinions can really change with time. Not every movie has to be perfect to matter. Sometimes the ones that go too far or miss the mark end up being the ones we learn the most from. I feel like Showgirls falls into that category. It’s bold, it’s loud, it’s all over the place, but that’s what makes it stick. I kind of love that it still sparks so many conversations thirty years later. That says something on its own.
2 comments:
I find the comments at the beginning of the article both humorous, but also a proper reflection of a common person's understanding of costume design (specifically for film). It is also just so true the way Mirojnick speaks about it, mentioning how it was just as difficult, if not more than a more traditional production. Not only were her costumes successful, but she had a heavy hand in helping ‘Showgirls’ achieve its cult classic status. The clothes represent change within the movie and larger story arcs relating to the characters. It is a silent language that is so incredibly important. Speaking of importance, a big part of this article is how this costuming can be done wrong. Even if it seems simple, rhinestones, short skirts, etc. there has to be development and nuance to the life of said showgirl, and Mirojnick really stands out in an understanding of the subject matter.
I think it’s kind of amazing how Showgirls went from being trashed to now getting this weird kind of respect. It’s one of those movies that people love to hate but also can’t stop talking about. Even if it’s messy, it clearly left an impact. I like that the article talks about how the movie has been rewatched and rethought over the years because it shows how opinions can really change with time. Not every movie has to be perfect to matter. Sometimes the ones that go too far or miss the mark end up being the ones we learn the most from. I feel like Showgirls falls into that category. It’s bold, it’s loud, it’s all over the place, but that’s what makes it stick. I kind of love that it still sparks so many conversations thirty years later. That says something on its own.
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