Exclusive Interview With Caroline B. Marx, Costume Designer for HSM3 – Part 2

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Caroline B. Marx, acclaimed costume designer for the recent hit film, High School Musical 3! In this second portion of the interview Caroline gives us the scoop on spring and prom trends, and more specifics about each character!

I asked Caroline specifically about what is hot for prom.

“You can definitely look at Sharpay for color. I think the metallics are really big. You can see that in the silver, the cobalt blue and the fuchsia. I think those are huge colors. I definitely think there’s a big 80s influence going on. The side tie or the knotting the t-shirts on the side, or the preppy look. Definitely they are pulling the collars up. Definitely the old-school Madonna, a lot of the loggings, multiple strands of pearls, the bangles, the rubber bracelets as seen on Martha. Definitely use lots of pins on Olesya’s jackets, blazers and vests. That was 80s inspired. I used really long scarves that come down to the knee, that’s a big trend that’s going on right now. Monique with her little tie was kind of cute. Zac with the skinny jeans and the fitted t-shirts, are definitely big, along with the skinny ties. Ryan with the military stripes that go down the side of his legs, and the fedoras. Those are some good ones! Individuality is the big thing, enhancing your personality. Primarily that’s where I went with this.

“I felt that anyone could go out and attain these looks without spending a lot of money on them!”

Caroline also identifies her thoughts about each character/actor, and the brands that they wore:

TROY (Zac Effron) – A James Dean/Young Elvis look, with a color palate of mostly blue and gray tones. Troy wears primarily slim-cut Diesel denim jeans and James Perse classic tees with Converse high-top sneakers or low-top Vans.

GABRIELLA (Vanessa Hudgen) – A very innocent, girl-next-door feel. She starts in her quintessential white, blue, green and yellow floral dresses, sometimes with little cardigans. As time passes in the film, she becomes more self- aware and begins to take on a more ‘boho’ style of dress. In the film, Hudgens wears clothes by American Eagle, Free People, Velvet, Miss Sixty, and Dutch designer Tony Cohen.

SHARPAY (Ashley Tisdale) – Very expensive and over-the-top, with the majority of her clothes enhanced with Swarovski crystals and focused on hot pink and feathers. Labels include Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, L.A.M.B., Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Diesel, Sheri Bodell, Rock n Republic boots and oversized bags, and accessories from Kitson.

RYAN (Lucas Gabreel) – As Sharpay’s brother, his look is also very expensive and directly from the runway with neon pink Marc Jacobs pants, a J. Lindenberg nylon blazer and Paul Smith floral pants tucked into police boots. Distinguished by his Goorin Bros. fedora hat and for the prom, he sports a bowler hat, inspired by a popular Spanish trend.

CHAD (Corbin Bleu) - A very eco-friendly vibe with primarily organic and sustainable clothing and shoes. His American Apparel organic tees feature custom ecofriendly messages such as “My dog didn’t eat my homework, I recycled it” and “Greenster.” Labels include G-Star, Livity Outernational, Alternative Earth, Lucky Brand, Nike and Maasi Treads. I made sure we used American Eagle and Free People, Urban Outfitters so it could be accessible and kids could find that stuff.

TAYLOR (Monique Coleman) – A brainiac and business-like with a feminine edge. Taylor wears primarily J. Crew and Banana Republic sweaters and sweater vests over Theory and G-Star button-front shirts (worn untucked), with skirts by Marc Jacobs, Piazza Simione and Corey Lynn Calter.

KELSI (Olesya Rulin) – Very funky and artsy, but with a vintage feel that includes men’s blazers and vests from Club Monaco and French Connection, and vintage character tees by Disney Couture. Kelsi’s primary designer was artist Elisa Jimenez of “Project Runway.”

MARTHA (Kaycee Stroh) – Early Madonna combined with an urban hip-hop flare for a retro 80s vibe. She wears lots of leggings, multiple strands of pearls, bangles, multiple rubber bracelets and bandannas in her hair.

JASON (Ryne Sanborn) - Preppy East Coast jock. He wears polos with the collars worn up, button-down over-shirts worn open and untucked, with either pinstripe, plaid or khaki cargo shorts or jeans.

ZEKE (Chris Warren Jr.) – Young, hip and preppy with a crisp urban flare. He wears oversize polos and shorts.

TIARA (Jemma McKenzie-Brown) – An English schoolgirl look.

JIMMIE (Matt Prokop) – An ‘Emo vibe with a little skater mixed in.

DONNY DION (Justin Martin) – A little conservative with a cool edge.

Images Credited to Click Communications