In the new Broadway musical The Queen of Versailles, which officially opens on November 9, Kristin Chenoweth plays Jackie Siegel, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Versailles” who is determined to build the largest single-family home in America. Siegel is a real person, featured in Lauren Greenfield’s 2012 documentary, and her 90,000-square-foot mansion—modeled after the Palace of Versailles—has been under construction since 2004.
“I had seen that documentary and was obsessed with it,” says New York designer Christian Cowan, who was hired to create Siegel’s unique wardrobe for the show. “I was like, sign me up!”
Siegel’s story is an extreme example of ambition and greed, a larger-than-life version of the American dream—and the darker side such a pursuit can bring. Cowan drew inspiration from this idea to create his extravagant costumes. “It sums up my approach to fashion—taking the American dream and highlighting the toxicity and darkness behind it,” he explains. “Jackie is building a world around herself that isn’t necessarily real, and I found that concept fascinating to explore.”
The result is a distinctive wardrobe that blends Rococo-era grandeur (a nod to Marie Antoinette) with Y2K style (when Siegel gained fame as a socialite and model). Cowan began his research by visiting Siegel at her home, where he toured the construction site and saw her flashy, over-the-top closet. “Her closet is a two-story space with stripper poles, beds, zebra-print carpeting, and thousands of clothing items,” he says. Siegel’s personal style is heavy on sequins, prints, and bold colors. “She really loves texture and body-hugging silhouettes,” Cowan notes. “She’s not afraid of anything—she enjoys the thrill of fashion. In the show, I wanted her to stand out like an exotic bird among pigeons.”
Cowan designed most of Jackie’s outfits—from Barbie-pink minidresses to teal marabou gowns—from scratch, many based on real outfits Siegel has worn. Chenoweth was an enthusiastic collaborator. “My main concern was making sure she could breathe properly and handle all the quick changes,” says Cowan. “Sometimes she only has 20 seconds to change.”
Cowan found it challenging to focus less on what looked stylish on Chenoweth and more on what suited the character. “That was the hardest part for me—it wasn’t about making every outfit as cute and gorgeous as possible,” he admits. He also enjoyed sourcing special items, like the lavish (fake) Hermès “Birkins” in rainbow colors that Chenoweth carries throughout the show. “We even customized one with the French flag in crystals.”
While most costumes reflect the excess of the 2000s, Cowan also explored 18th-century aesthetics. Throughout the musical, Marie Antoinette, King Louis XVI, and other Versailles-era characters make cameo appearances, and Cowan designed historically accurate outfits for them as well. “Nearly every character is based on a painting,” he says. “I wanted to draw parallels to Jackie’s opulence.” For example, Marie Antoinette appears in a full-skirted bustle gown with ceramic vases built into the skirt. “I took some creative liberties with Marie—I couldn’t resist,” Cowan shares. “The vase gown was inspired by one she reportedly owned, with little ceramic vases woven into the front, each holding real flowers.”
You could say everything Cowan created is a bit over-the-top—and that was exactly the point. Much like the story ofSiegel and her lavish home inspired Cowan to create a fashion fantasy that was both striking and utterly absurd. “I hope people leave with a feeling of playfulness and wonder, and grasp the show’s message: don’t get swept up by all the flashy, glamorous aspects of life,” Cowan explains. “Focus on what truly matters.” And what did the real-life Jackie think of the bold designs? “She said she’d wear many of them,” Cowan chuckles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about Christian Cowans work on the Broadway musical Queen of Versailles
General Beginner Questions
Who is Christian Cowan
Christian Cowan is a Londonborn New Yorkbased fashion designer known for his bold glamorous and often playful designs worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Cardi B
What was his role in Queen of Versailles
He was the costume designer for the Broadway musical meaning he was responsible for creating the look of all the characters through their clothing
What is the musical Queen of Versailles about
The musical is a satirical comedy inspired by the life of Marie Antoinette exploring themes of extravagance power and revolution in a modern context
Why was Christian Cowan a good fit for this show
His design signature is all about boldness drama and highfashion glamour which perfectly matches the overthetop and luxurious world of Versailles
Design Creative Process Questions
What was the main inspiration for the costumes
Cowan blended 18thcentury French court fashion with his own modern highenergy aesthetic using unexpected materials and vibrant colors
Did he design everything from scratch
Yes as the costume designer he created original designs for the show His team then built the costumes based on his sketches and vision
What materials did he use to make the costumes so bold
He used a mix of traditional fabrics like silk and taffeta alongside modern surprising materials like neonbright felts lucite and intricate beading to create a fresh eyecatching look
How did the costumes help tell the story
The costumes visually represented the characters personalities and their journey For Marie Antoinette the costumes evolved from playful and extravagant to more vulnerable as the story progressed
Were the costumes practical for the actors to perform in
This is a key challenge While they looked dramatic Cowan had to ensure they were functional for singing dancing and quick changes backstage This meant reinforcing seams and sometimes designing clever easiertomanage versions of complex looks
Advanced Practical Questions
What is the biggest challenge in designing costumes for a Broadway musical versus a fashion show
In fashion the primary goal is visual impact on the runway For Broadway