PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Elvis has always been in the limelight, but the story of Priscilla completes the picture, adding the other half to make it whole. Focusing on Priscilla’s side of the story, Sofia Coppola’s movie PRISCILLA (now streaming on MUBI) touches upon their complex love story. Based entirely on Priscilla’s own biography, first released in 1985, the movie traces her journey from a young teenage girl to her mesmerizing entrance into the world of excess and rock’n’roll.
It is a story filled with overwhelming emotions of the first love which eventually leads to facing the reality of uneven power dynamics after the initial euphoria has worn off. Priscilla’s quick rise into the world of glitz and glamour is visualized through the costume design by Stacey Battat. Her wardrobe in the film is a reflection of her own journey and her literally growing up, since she was only 14 when she met Elvis for the first time. While the looks have been meticulously researched based on historical records, as Battat asserts, the primary focus remains on interpreting those photographs from Priscilla’s perspective. As the movie progresses, we witness Priscilla’s transformation from wearing snug mini dresses to embracing loose shirts, symbolizing her blossoming into her true self.
SLEEK has curated the best looks and moments of PRISCILLA.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
First goodbye to Elvis
Priscilla met Elvis on an American military army base in Germany when her stepfather was stationed there. After Elvis served in the army, he eventually headed back to the US. The 14-year-old teenage girl waved her goodbye at him in a look recreated from an old photograph. Battat focused on the textures of the original outfit, translating that into a pleated mohair skirt and a silk scarf tied around her head. From the way each piece is styled, it is exactly mimicking the original look while emphasizing the youthfulness of Priscilla. Coppola’s creative input for Battat was to make Germany feel sad and to make it feel like the sun comes out in Memphis.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
First night out
Getting to know Elvis also meant his life at night. Although she was still underage, Priscilla was part of his entourage at the casino. On her first night out, the tight dress already shows the mature touch initiated by Elvis though the bow on her shoulder is a sign of playfulness. When Priscilla was younger, it was clear that she dressed to fit Elvis’ ideals. As Stacey Battat did the research for the costume design for the movie, she found out in Priscilla’s biography that Elvis liked blue. To show his influence on the young teenager, Battat therefore chose to pick blue for the dress.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Priscilla’s first time at Graceland
The first visit to Elvis’ home Graceland felt like a dream to Priscilla, so saying goodbye to him again felt even harder because she feared an ending. As Elvis is trying to calm her down and take her into his arms, the teenage girl’s innocence is clearly noticeable by her blush-colored dress that flows out from her waist down.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Priscilla’s graduation
To emphasize how young Priscilla was when she was already living with Elvis, she celebrated her graduation with all of his friends. Marking her step into adulthood, her hair is already black and she wears her strong signature eyeliner, though the colour and shape of the dress still hint at her being a teenager.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Being home at Graceland
Elvis was fond of always being dressed up – even when he was in his pyjama. So as Priscilla adapted to his expectations, she walked around the house fully glammed up in her signature sky-high hairstyle and tight dress. For the outfits, Battat and her team sourced a few vintage pieces but primarily had the clothes tailored to make them exactly fit the storyline.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Priscilla and Elvis go shopping
To fully make Priscilla akin to his lifestyle, Elvis takes her shopping to try on dresses. Still being new to this world, the visibly young Priscilla gets put into clothes that make her look more mature. When she comes out of the changing rooms with an unsure look on her face, Elvis dictates the room as it is known that he doesn’t like patterns or the colour brown.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
The wedding
In 1967, Priscilla got married to Elvis in a dress she had bought off the racks. The movie put her in a custom Chanel dress that came to life through Battat’s close relationship with the French house. Just like the upscale wedding dress inspired by the original, the pinned-up beehive hair remains true to the unforgettable Priscilla of yesteryear.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Flowers everywhere
Priscilla’s high Beaufort hairstyle also reconstructs her own story arc. During her time at Graceland, she mostly had bangs that are now tucked back into a hairband adorned with daisies. The flower theme translates to the whole outfit with the dress also incorporating daisies, all reflecting the spirit of the 70s.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Thanksgiving
The scene shows a photoshoot at home on Thanksgiving Day. Priscilla doesn’t wear her usual high beehive hair anymore and it is back to its natural shade while Elvis sits next to her in a full-out glam outfit. Behind the lens, the relationship between the two has become more distant, clearly visible in the composition of the picture. When Priscilla was younger, Elvis made a lot of decisions in how he wanted her to dress and the picture symbolizes her experimenting with her own style. It manifests itself in a lilac-coloured blouse with flowing peasant sleeves, which is also strongly inspired by the original photo shoot.
PRISCILLA. Image Courtesy of MUBI.
Leaving Graceland
A white blouse and loose, natural hair mark a step into independence for Priscilla. The plain canvas reflects Priscilla’s state of letting herself grow into her own person and woman outside of her relationship with Elvis. Priscilla finally feels like herself which is also reflected in her outer appearance.
PRISCILLA is now streaming exclusively on MUBI.
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