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Olivia Pope - 'Scandal'

Costume Designer: Lyn Paolo
One of the first things Kerry Washington and Paolo decided was that Olivia Pope would be the kind of character who figuratively and literally "wore the pants." Ensuring she still exuded femininity became their next challenge.

"There's a real balance between the smart and the feminine, powerful and delicate," Washington said of Pope's wardrobe. "The lines of the clothes are very powerful 'gladiator in a suit' attire, but the colors says 'I've left the establishment.' I'm not just wearing brown, navy, and black. I'm wearing softer colors because I work for myself now, and I have a little more freedom to be myself and not represent the larger institution of the White House."