Marisa Tomei, celebrated for her flowing locks, took a daring step in the mid-1990s when she rekindled the trend of pixie cuts, altering her appearance for her role in the romantic comedy ‘Only You’. However, the decision to make the cut was not an easy one, as revealed by costume designer Nicoletta Ercole in a recent interview.
Recalling the transformation, Nicoletta Ercole shared insights into the convincing process she undertook to persuade Marisa to embrace the drastic change. Upon Marisa’s arrival following her Oscar win for ‘My Cousin Vinny’, she sported lengthy hair that had become synonymous with her public image. Nicoletta expressed her initial encouragement, saying, “Marisa, it’s just hair. Why not cut it? This style is ordinary. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
Nicoletta’s persuasion didn’t end there. She went on to reveal that Marisa’s eventual agreement was tied to the promise of having the acclaimed hairstylist Aldo Signoretti, renowned as the best in the world at the time, perform the cut. Describing Marisa’s appearance, Nicoletta noted, “Marisa possesses a unique beauty, not the textbook definition of beauty. So, I proposed, ‘Why not a haircut?’ To which she firmly replied, ‘No, I won’t cut my hair.’ That’s when I suggested, ‘Alright then, let’s enlist the talents of Aldo Signoretti. He’s based in Rome. If you’re interested, I can reach out to him.'”
With determination, Nicoletta promptly contacted Aldo Signoretti and urged him to travel to Los Angeles without delay. “I got in touch with him and instructed, ‘Catch the first flight to L.A. It’s essential that you come here to style Marisa Tomei’s hair.’ In the tranquil garden of my apartment, he executed the transformation.”
Marisa’s decision to adopt the pixie cut for her role ignited a resurgence of the trend, harking back to its popularity in the late 1960s and 1970s. The iconic transformation in ‘Only You’, a film also starring Robert Downey Jr., captured the essence of her character’s journey, representing her pursuit of love in Italy while departing from the confines of an engagement to seek a soulmate bearing the name she yearned for.
‘Only You’ is currently available for rental on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu, providing audiences with the opportunity to witness Marisa Tomei’s bold transformation and her embodiment of a character embracing change and following the whispers of destiny.
In summary, Marisa Tomei’s shift to a pixie cut in ‘Only You’ symbolizes more than just a change in appearance. It signifies a bold step towards embracing transformation and a journey towards self-discovery. As Nicoletta Ercole’s revelations unveil, the decision to undergo such a transformation, though met with initial resistance, is a testament to the power of skilled persuasion and the willingness to explore new facets of one’s identity.