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Wicked-ly Wonderful

Immerse in a world of bewitching colour & nail art possibilities, as REBECCA HITCHON explores OPI’s collaboration with Wicked, the movie

OPI has perfected a balance that is hard to achieve: creating lacquer and gel polish shades that are timeless and versatile, yet embody pivotal and exciting moments. This is evident through its past collaborations, including those with Hello Kitty, Xbox and the Barbie movie, and its most recent partnership is no different.

The nail colour and care company is the exclusive global nail partner for Universal Pictures’ Wicked film, in cinemas from 22 November. To mark the collaboration, the brand has launched the limited edition OPI x Wicked holiday collection, themed advent calendar and retail options (see page 36), and announced a Wicked star as a global brand ambassador. Aside from this, OPI is intrinsically linked to the film, with Oscar-winning make-up, hair and prosthetics designer, Frances Hannon – a long-time fan of OPI – using the brand to create nail looks for its cast.

Storytime & styling

The Wicked musical has become a beloved theatre staple, boasting 21 years on Broadway and 18 years in the West End. It is loosely based on novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which revises the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The narrative explores ‘the untold story of the witches of Oz’, before and after Dorothy’s arrival. Elphaba is a misunderstood woman with green skin, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda, her popular friend, becomes Glinda the Good. In the film adaptation, they are played by award-winning musicians, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“The rich sets and costumes, lead character arcs and shades of green found in nature inspired fantastical nail looks,” comments Frances Hannon. “I wanted the nails to help tell the Wicked characters’ stories, including Elphaba’s green nails as an extension of her skin colour at the beginning of the film. Elphaba’s manicure progresses to a longer, stronger look with powerful nail art, as she develops her sense of self and discovers her true potential. Glinda’s French manicure is stylish, elegant and timeless, with small emerald embellishments to reflect her privilege and popularity.”

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann

The OPI x Wicked collection

OPI worked with the movie team to convey five themes from the film through nail colour: empowerment, equality, integrity, defiance and sisterhood. “There was so much inspiration on set, and it translated to tonnes of effects and colours inspired by the magical world of Wicked,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI co-founder & brand ambassador. “Once the shades were created, we worked with Universal Pictures to co-create names based on the movie’s themes and characters.”

OPI x Wicked comprises 12 colour-matched colours in OPI Nail Lacquer and the reformulated GelColor formula, featuring Intelli-Gel™ technology, and nine additional hues in the Infinite Shine long-lasting lacquer formula. They range from candy-coloured shades to dark, mystical colours, with nail effects adding to the magic of the collection, such as a glow-in-the-dark hue, shimmers and pearls.

“My clients are enjoying the fun shade names and film references. There’s a great mix of colourful shades and shimmers for all.”

THE SHADES

Nail Lacquer and GelColor:

Deflying Gravity Black with blue and silver shimmer.

Nessa-ist Rose Rosy red crème.

Let’s Rejoicify Purple with red and gold shimmer.

Oz-mazing Light gold shimmer.

Witch O’Clock Dark green crème.

Fiyero’s My Mani Cobalt blue.

Ga-Linda Light pink shimmer.

Oh, For Oz Sake White with pink and green pearlescence.

Glinda the Good! Hot pink shimmer.

Love You So Munchkin Yellow and gold shimmer.

Ozitively Elphaba Green with gold pearlescence.

I’m the Wonderfullest Blue with multi-coloured shimmer.

Infinite Shine:

It’s the Shiz Grey with silver pearlescence.

Head Shizstress Purple with gold shimmer.

OPI’m Phosphorescent! Glow-in-the-dark green.

Yellow Brick Road Yellow pearl.

Ozmopolitan Dark green and bronze pearl.

Ever-effervescent Bold pink crème.

The “Ga” is Silent Light pink with blue and pink shimmer.

Thrillifying! Bright red crème.

Don’t Hide Your Magic White with light blue and pink shimmer.

HERO HUES

“OPI’m Phosphorescent! is a glow-in-the-dark shade, which is very prominent in the movie. The other hero colour is Ga-Linda, Glinda’s signature pale pink,” says Jill Bartoshevich, OPI’s global director of color equity.

AN ARTISTIC ALLIANCE

Alongside offering themed products, OPI has named Wicked lead, Cynthia Erivo, as a global brand ambassador. The actress, singer-songwriter & producer is known for sporting long nail looks adorned with embellishments and detailed art. As an ambassador, she shares creative and expressive nail looks that incorporate shades from the OPI x Wicked collection.

Cynthia Erivo

“Nail art offers a way to express what I’m feeling, at any moment in time,” she explains. “It’s an extension of the story I want to tell and an extension of who I am. With length, or colour or design, you can show people a little bit of who you are. There’s also something really fun about being able to catch someone’s eye with nails. The scope of what you can do with nails has always interested me.”

“The OPI x Wicked collection provides so many layering options – including glitter fades, meaning you can offer a huge range of nail finishes.”

“My favourite shade is pearl shimmer, Oh, For Oz Sake. When layered over classic OPI white, Alpine Snow, it creates the perfect party season hue.”

“I love that OPI x Wicked provides alternatives to shades that are traditionally used throughout the holiday season.”

“The collection’s colour range complements all skin tones. My favourite shade is Let’s Rejoicify, as it combines rich burgundy with a touch of festive sparkle.”