A feminist masterpiece? Check. Cher Horowitz’s #WardrobeGoals? Check. And lest we forget Dionne’s hat collection…We could write an entire dissertation on ‘Clueless’.
The ‘90s classic – inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma – still influences designers and diction over 20 years later (“it does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty. Thank you very much!”). But the movie - that was just as much about female friendship as it was about the “most capable” fashion moments - almost wasn’t made. And the reason will make you heave a very big sigh…
Speaking to Variety, Alicia Silverstone revealed that the big bosses in Hollywood were not initially hot on the project. Just before shooting was about to begin Cher received a fax (RIP) from director Amy Heckerling telling her the movie wasn't happening.
‘One studio said no to it, they didn’t think anyone was interested in watching a movie about a young girl,’ Silverstone remembers. ‘Those people now kick themselves that they were not part of that film. They were like, ‘We don’t think anybody is going to care. It’s not going to sell tickets.’
Heckerling alluded to the studio in question during a 20th anniversary special interview with Vanity Fair in 2015. ‘Fox movies bought it from Fox TV,’ she said. ‘During the development, there was a concern that it was too much about one female, and that I should make Josh [Paul Rudd] a bigger part.’
Sexism in La La Land is still rife. But to all those executives who think a film starring a woman won’t be a hit? Wonder Woman earned more than $100 million in its opening weekend. The future is female.