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The Man Behind ‘The Last Showgirl’s’ Spectacular Costumes

When the curtain rises on The Last Showgirl this month, audiences will witness more than just Pamela Anderson’s star turn as an aging Vegas performer – they’ll be treated to a dazzling array of authentic showgirl costumes that sparkle with nearly half a century of Sin City history.

The man responsible for bringing these iconic pieces back to life? Costume director extraordinaire Jose Rodrigo, whose sequin-studded journey through Vegas entertainment makes him the perfect maestro for this glittering production.

Image: Roadside Attractions

“The biggest challenge we had was making sure these iconic costumes, now almost 50 years old, fit each of our performers well enough for them to move and dance freely and safely – all while looking perfect on camera,” Rodrigo reveals. Working alongside his trusted team, including Jubilee! veterans Jesse Phillips and Joyce White, Rodrigo orchestrated what he calls “mass fittings” to prepare the historic pieces for their silver screen debut.

The film, directed by Gia Coppola and featuring a powerhouse cast including Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista, centers on a showgirl facing life changes when her long-running show closes. For the fictional Le Razzle Dazzle production within the movie, Rodrigo had to walk a delicate line between honoring Vegas history and creating something fresh for modern audiences.

Instagram: Jose Rodrigo with Pamela Anderson on the set of The Last Showgirl

Anderson, who Rodrigo describes as “phenomenal,” proved to be an ideal collaborator in crafting the perfect look for her character Shelly. “She understood the significance of the costumes,” he shares, noting how this awareness helped them achieve a balance between character authenticity and director Coppola’s vision.

But Rodrigo’s expertise extends far beyond movie sets. As a veteran of the real-life Jubilee! production and collaborator with burlesque icon Dita Von Teese, he’s witnessed firsthand how showgirl costume design has evolved while maintaining its roots. “Technology has advanced so much,” he explains, “but much of the techniques needed to create modern-day showgirl costumes are still ones used during the original showgirl era.”

The devil – or in this case, the showgirl – is in the details. Rodrigo’s work involves what he calls “rigging” costumes for quick changes, incorporating invisible hooks, snaps, and customized elastic cuffs that allow performers to make split-second transformations without sacrificing that million-dollar look. It’s a craft he learned from studying the masters, particularly Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee, whose influence still shapes his work today.

Instagram: Jose Rodrigo with Kiernan Shipka on the set of The Last Showgirl

“From the iconic pink and orange showgirl silhouette by Pete Menefee to every Cher dress by Bob Mackie, their design inspiration transcends generations!” Rodrigo enthuses. His year-long stint with Jubilee! before its closure left a lasting impression on his approach to both design and production culture. “It was a family. In every sense of the word. And I strive to recreate that in every production I do.”

For The Last Showgirl, this family atmosphere proved crucial as the team worked to preserve and adapt historical pieces while ensuring they met the demands of modern filmmaking. The costumes themselves serve as a bridge between Vegas’s golden era and contemporary entertainment, much like the film’s themes of tradition meeting change.

Looking toward the future of showgirl costume design, Rodrigo maintains an optimistic outlook. “I truly am a firm believer that if you present the showgirl in her most true and classic glamorous form, the modern audience will help usher her into the 21st Century,” he says. He credits performers like Dita Von Teese and films like The Last Showgirl with helping to remind audiences “of a time when Vegas glamour was defined by the height of its feathers and the resilience of its showgirls.”

Instagram: Jose Rodrigo with Dita Von Teese on New Years Eve ’24

Rodrigo’s work stands is a fabulous nod to Vegas’s enduring showgirl legacy. Through his meticulous attention to detail and deep respect for the craft, these decades-old costumes aren’t just museum pieces – they’re living, breathing parts of a continuing tradition.

In The Last Showgirl, every rhinestone tells a story, every feather holds a memory, and thanks to Rodrigo’s expertise, this vital piece of Vegas history gets its moment to shine once again under the spotlight.

Author

  • StaciLayne

    Author of the "Rock & Roll Nightmares" book series, director of the documentary film, "The Ventures: Stars on Guitars."

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Author of the "Rock & Roll Nightmares" book series, director of the documentary film, "The Ventures: Stars on Guitars."