Bette Midler’s Life in Looks, From Hocus Pocus to The First Wives Club
VOGUE
Bette Midler’s Life in Looks, From Hocus Pocus to The First Wives Club
BY CHRISTIAN ALLAIRE
October 12, 2022
When you think of Hollywood legends, Bette Midler certainly comes to mind. The singer-actor, who has been gracing Hollywood screens since the 1970s, has enjoyed a successful career filled with many iconic roles (including Hocus Pocus’s Winifred Sanderson, a spooky season classic). So, it was only natural that Vogue would call up the A-lister to reflect on some of her favorite moments. In a new “Life in Looks” video, the star reflects on her best style moments over the years—whether on the red carpet, in films, or on the Broadway stage.
Midler began by reflecting on some of her favorite film costumes. Highlights included 1988’s Beaches, in which she wore “big, bold looks. Some of those costumes were my own,” says Midler. “And some of them I went to a thrift shop in Santa Monica and bought—and they were Cher’s old wardrobe.” The actor also has a soft spot for the witchy wear she sported in 1993’s Hocus Pocus (costumed by Mary E. Vogt). But did you know that she came up with her hair and makeup? “I told my hair and makeup people I wanted to look like the red queen in Alice and Wonderland,” says Midler. “I designed that makeup myself, and I was very proud of it.” She shared that wigs have proven to be especially important for getting into character, no matter the project. “Every time I start a new picture, I start with the hair,” says Midler. “If I don’t have the hair right, I don’t have the character.”
Speaking of getting into character: Midler is also the queen of Halloween. She’s pulled off many epic costumes over the years when she’s hosted parties through her New York Restoration Project, which cleans up parks in underserved New York communities. “I did 25 years of Halloween parties,” says Midler. “I’ve tried everything.” One of her all-time favorite costumes was in 2008 when she attended as a bloodied chef. “I got a black eye the night before the gala, so I had to adjust [my costume],” says Midler. “I sent my husband to the uniform store to get a chef’s outfit. I’m wearing Crocs; the Crocs sell the idea.”
Some of her most memorable ensembles have occurred at the annual Met Gala. In 2016, she attended the Manus x Machina theme in custom Marc Jacobs. “The fabrics [with images of wheels] spoke to the [machinery] theme, and the headdress spoke to it too,” says Midler. In 2019, she attended the Camp theme with daughter Sophie Von Haselberg, dressed in theatrical Michael Kors garb. “[Michael] wanted to do butterflies [for me] and fire for my daughter,” says Midler. Of the theme that year, Midler said it best: “Camp is an attitude, but it’s also a joyousness in the ridiculousness.”
Director: Catherine Orchard Director Of Photography: Frances Chen
Editor: Michael Suyeda
Producers: Nicola Pardy, Qieara Lesesne
Associate Directors, Creative Development, Vogue: Alexandra Gurvitch, Billie JD Porter
Associate Producer: Kristen Engelson
Cam Op: Kirsten Potts
Gaffer: Mike Spadafina
Set Designer: Taylor Horne
Set Design Assistant: Javi Scalley
Audio: Sean Paulsen
CCO: Jason Chester
Production Coordinator: Ava Kashar
Production Manager: Kit Fogarty, Senior Director,
Production Management: Jessica Schier
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Post-Production Supervisor: Marco Glinbizzi
Talent Booker: Lauren Mendoza
Director of Content, Production, Vogue: Rahel Gebreyes
Senior Director, Programming, Vogue: Linda Gittleson
Executive Producer: Ruhiya Nuruddin
VP, Digital Video English, Vogue: Thespena Guatieri Filmed at Park Lane Hotel
Birthday Wishes For Joy Behar
In honor of “The View” co-host’s birthday, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, Bette Midler, Chris Meloni, Liam Neeson, Larry David, and Jay Leno share a message for her milestone celebration.
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Holy shit!!!!
Just when you think she can’t do it… She goes right ahead and looks like a goodness more than she ever did…
Don… You have to get the info. What does she eat? Is it pimientos on her meals? Essential oils? Yoga and endless breathing lessons? Tantric sex? Or did she go that Robert Johnson crossroad?
Every decade she makes you fall in love all over again… Just when we think we had finally gotten over her…. Hahaa?
Xoxo