Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Jawbreaker is a film that has achieved cult status among fans of teen movies, dark comedies, and 90s nostalgia. The film, which was released on February 19, 1999, follows the aftermath of a fatal prank gone wrong, involving a group of high school girls known as the Flawless Four. The film stars Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, and Judy Greer, and features cameos from Marilyn Manson, Carol Kane, and Pam Grier.
But apart from its twisted plot, witty dialogue, and memorable performances, Jawbreaker is also known for its iconic fashion, which captured the essence of late 90s teen style. The film’s costume designer, Vikki Barrett, created a candy-coloured wardrobe for the Flawless Four, using a mix of vintage, thrifted, and custom-made pieces. The film’s costumes influenced and inspired many other teen movies, TV shows, and pop stars, and are still relevant and admired today.
How Jawbreaker’s Costumes Reflected the Characters’ Personalities and Moods
Barrett, who had previously worked on other 90s classics such as Clueless and Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion, told CNN that she wanted to create a contrast between the film’s sweet and sugary look and its dark and twisted tone. She also wanted to reflect the characters’ personalities and moods through their outfits, using different colours, fabrics, and accessories.
The film’s main character, Courtney Shane (McGowan), is the leader of the Flawless Four and the mastermind behind the prank that kills their friend Liz Purr. She is ruthless, manipulative, and ambitious, and her outfits reflect her power and status. She wears ice blue, which Barrett said was a regal and cold colour, and tight and fitted clothes, which show off her curves and confidence. She also wears clutch purses, which Barrett said were a symbol of her control and dominance.
Marcie Fox (Benz) is Courtney’s loyal sidekick and best friend, who follows her orders and supports her schemes. She is jealous, insecure, and superficial, and her outfits reflect her desire to please and impress Courtney. She wears light green, which Barrett said was a colour of envy and jealousy, and simple and plain clothes, which show her lack of originality and personality. She also wears glasses, which Barrett said were a way of hiding her true self and her feelings.
Julie Freeman (Gayheart) is the conscience of the Flawless Four, who regrets the prank and rebels against Courtney. She is kind, honest, and compassionate, and her outfits reflect her change and growth throughout the film. She starts off wearing dark blue, which Barrett said was a colour of sadness and guilt, and pleather, which shows her conformity and repression. She then switches to denim, which Barrett said was a fabric of freedom and individuality, and lighter colours, which show her happiness and optimism.
Fern Mayo (Greer) is the film’s Cinderella story, who goes from being a nerdy and unpopular outcast to being a glamorous and popular member of the Flawless Four. She is naive, insecure, and impressionable, and her outfits reflect her transformation and identity crisis. She starts off wearing brown, which Barrett said was a colour of dullness and invisibility, and baggy and frumpy clothes, which show her low self-esteem and lack of style. She then changes to pink, which Barrett said was a colour of femininity and sweetness, and tight and revealing clothes, which show her newfound confidence and sexuality.
How Jawbreaker’s Costumes Influenced and Inspired Other Teen Media and Culture
Barrett’s costumes for Jawbreaker were not only a reflection of the film’s characters and themes, but also a source of influence and inspiration for other teen media and culture. The film’s costumes set the trends and standards for teen fashion in the late 90s and early 2000s, and were copied and referenced by many other teen movies, TV shows, and pop stars.
One of the most obvious examples of Jawbreaker’s influence is the film Mean Girls, which was released in 2004 and also follows a group of high school girls who rule the school. The film features a scene in which the Plastics, the film’s equivalent of the Flawless Four, walk down the school hallway in slow motion, wearing matching outfits and clutch purses. The scene is a clear homage to a similar scene in Jawbreaker, in which the Flawless Four do the same thing.
Another example of Jawbreaker’s influence is the TV show Gossip Girl, which aired from 2007 to 2012 and also follows a group of wealthy and privileged high school students in New York. The show features a character named Blair Waldorf, who is the leader of her clique and the queen bee of her school. She wears outfits that are reminiscent of Courtney’s, such as pencil skirts, fitted jackets, and clutch purses. She also wears headbands, which Barrett said were a nod to Courtney’s hair ribbons.
A third example of Jawbreaker’s influence is the pop star Lady Gaga, who rose to fame in 2008 and also uses fashion as a way of expressing her personality and message. She has worn outfits that are similar to Fern’s, such as pink latex dresses, feather boas, and sunglasses. She has also worn outfits that are inspired by Liz’s, such as a dress made of meat, a dress made of bubbles, and a dress made of Kermit the Frog dolls.
Jawbreaker’s costumes are a testament to Barrett’s talent and vision, and to the film’s cult status and legacy. They are a representation of the film’s characters and themes, and a source of influence and inspiration for other teen media and culture. They are a celebration of teen fashion, and a challenge to teen stereotypes. They are, in Barrett’s words, “a makeover that can’t hide the truth.”
