Discovery Series Wicked – Shiz University
Today marks the release of Wicked-themed mugs from Starbucks. We are seeing the appearance of the new photos online as people buy them and share their joy and excitement. This gives us the opportunity to examine in detail the design of the new mugs and their boxes.
Let’s start our journey with a review of the Discovery Series Wicked Shiz University mug. As you can see, there is a very distinctive “Wicked + Starbucks” labeling next to the handle to set the new merchandise apart. The cover of the box is also custom with “Wicked (only in theaters)” written on the top. Nothing is saying this box is for Shiz University mug in particular, except, of course, the SKU sticker.
As you probably know, Shiz University is a prestigious institution in Gillikin, the northern province of Oz. It consists of multiple colleges, including the all-female Crage Hall, Three Queens, Ozma Towers, and Briscoe Hall. The campus features diverse architecture, gardens, and ivy-covered walls. Notable students included Elphaba, Galinda, Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq, with Madame Morrible serving as headmistress. While the novel version maintained gender-segregated colleges, the musical adaptation portrayed it as co-educational. The university faced challenges during the Wizard’s rule, which led to curriculum restrictions and the suspicious death of Professor Dillamond, a Goat instructor and Animal rights activist.
The front of the mug showcases the university in its full glory, with multiple towers and surrounded by water. We can also see the Shiz University blazer, which is crafted in rich navy blue wool, featuring the institution’s distinguished crest embroidered in gold thread on the breast pocket.
There is also a silhouette of Madame Morrible as seen from the back. Madame Morrible, the formidable headmistress of Shiz University, commands respect with her imposing presence and remarkable mastery of sorcery. Known for her elaborate, ornate gowns and sharp, calculating demeanor, she possesses an uncanny ability to spot magical talent among her students, particularly taking interest in Elphaba’s raw abilities. Despite her polished exterior and eloquent speech, Madame Morrible’s true nature gradually reveals itself as more manipulative and power-hungry than her prestigious position might suggest.
While the original book doesn’t mention the uniforms, the creators of the musical as well as the movie being released on November 27, 2024, likely envisioned the boarding school aesthetic when designing the costumes for the actors. We can see two of those on the back of the mug. The dress code consists of navy blue blazers with the university crest, pleated skirts or trousers, and crisp white shirts often accessorized with blue and white striped ties. While most students wear variations of this standard uniform, they are allowed to personalize their attire with different cuts and styles while maintaining the signature dark blue and white color scheme. Notably, Galinda seems to enjoy special privileges regarding the dress code, frequently appearing in her signature pink ensembles and fashionable dresses rather than the traditional uniform, perhaps a reflection of her privileged status and popularity at the university.
