Amy Heckerling’s 1995 film “Clueless” continues to resonate with audiences three decades after its release, especially among young women. The movie, adapted from Jane Austen’s “Emma,” is noted for its focus on female characters and remains popular due to its blend of humor and empowerment.
Kelsey Moore, a doctoral candidate in film and media studies at UC Santa Barbara, described the film as “a beautiful mix — empowering while also being fun and funny.” She emphasized that the costumes play a significant role in defining the characters as they develop throughout the story.
The film’s costume designer, Mona May, will discuss her work following a free screening of “Clueless” on January 31 at UCSB’s Pollock Theater. May explained her approach: “Each character’s journey, and how they view the world, is reflected in the outfits Mona puts them in,” Moore said. May added, “‘Clueless’ was an incredible opportunity for a young designer. I met Amy Heckerling on another project… We really connected creatively. We found we had the same sensibility.”
May noted that director Amy Heckerling wanted the film to have a distinctly Californian look—“very bright, very colorful”—with minimal use of brown or black tones. The main characters are portrayed as fashion-conscious teenagers from affluent backgrounds whose clothing needed to be stylish yet age-appropriate. May recalled: “I borrowed from what’s happening in the high-fashion world and translated it to the world of 16-year-olds — made age-appropriate. It was not easy. I did not have a big budget.”
Despite limited resources, May sourced most costumes from thrift shops and mall stores: “So I had to be inventive… Alicia Silverstone’s character had 63 changes.” The result was a collection of outfits that remain visually striking years later.
Moore observed that the film’s style captures both ‘90s trends and originality: “The film’s look is true to its time and brings a ‘90s flair, but it’s also unique. They embraced a beautifully loud color palate with tailored fits.” She added that wardrobe choices helped illustrate each character’s individuality and growth: “The clothes allow you to identify that each character is unique in their own way… You then follow their individual journeys through that visual cue.”
May cited Tai (played by Brittany Murphy) as an example—a newcomer who initially dresses awkwardly but gradually adopts Cher’s style before developing her own distinct look by the end of the movie.
Moore commented on how these visual cues contribute to storytelling: “‘The film is very tight… There’s a really well-set rhythm and pace. Because the visuals are complementary to the story, it all works together seamlessly.’”
Although Moore was too young for the original theatrical run, she recalled watching it at sleepovers during adolescence: “We found it really relatable… This was particularly inspiring as preteen girls trying to figure out our own sense of style, and how to move through the world.”
“Clueless” has inspired several spin-offs—including books and a television series—and influenced other films centered around fashion such as “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Legally Blonde.” Moore pointed out that Margot Robbie cited “Clueless” as an inspiration for costuming in “Barbie”: “I think it’s a movie filmmakers go back to and try to emulate, especially if you’re trying to make a feel-good film with both substance and heart.”
Admission for UCSB’s screening event is free; reservations are recommended.
