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Behind the Design:
Owala’s Wicked Bottles Are Defying Gravity

by Owala Team

Updated: September 25, 2025

Two 32 oz Owala water bottles are displayed in a whimsical, enchanted garden scene. The left bottle is light pink with a geometric design, set against a pink floral backdrop. The right bottle is deep green with a geometric pattern, placed near darker greenery and moss. The background is split pink and green, with blossoming flowers, twisted branches, and hanging vines creating a magical, storybook-like atmosphere.

Some stories stick with you. Maybe it’s the soundtrack you’ve had on loop since 2003. Maybe it’s the moment Elphaba took flight and you got chills (again). Either way, Wicked is not just an iconic story—it’s a core memory.


So when we teamed up with Universal Products & Experiences to create a Special Edition bottle, we knew it had to be just as inspiring, iconic, and magical as your favorite characters. 

This is the story of how we brought Elphaba and Glinda to life—and into bottles you’ll be able to carry with you even after the movies end. 

Love the look? Check out other bottles in the FreeSip® Sway lineup for the same sleek shape in fresh, everyday styles.

The Inspiration Behind the Wicked Bottle

Not only are we major fans, but with Wicked: For Good on the horizon, we just had to design a bottle that felt like it came straight out of the Land of Oz. Wicked x Owala was a no-brainer—for fans of musicals, magic, and merch with a little more personality.

A green water bottle with a geometric pattern is shown with its lid flipped open, revealing the spout. The bottle sits on a mossy ground with small red and purple flowers scattered in the background, creating an enchanted forest feel.
A pink water bottle with a subtle geometric design is pictured with its lid flipped open, showing the sip spout. It is set against a lush floral backdrop of soft pink, cream, and yellow blossoms, with a silver butterfly decoration adding a whimsical touch.

We partnered with Universal and reviewed a wide range of rich visuals, patterns and color palettes. Our design team wanted to make sure we created something subtle, stunning and unique - a bottle that shines for years to come. That meant leaning into what makes Owala different: premium finishes, thoughtful details, and a whole lot of texture.

“We didn’t want these to scream ‘movie merch.’ We wanted them to whisper it. Subtle. Magical. The kind of bottle you’ll reach for long after the movie ends.”

That sparkly Glinda flair? The moody, powerful Elphaba energy? We channeled both—using brand-new finishes and refined patterns that let each character shine in their own way.


This Wicked Special Edition was made for the fans who already have Wicked: For Good movie tickets. For anyone who’s ever teared up during “For Good” (*raises hand*) or dreamed of defying gravity. And if that’s you? You’ll want to be first in line.


Sign up here to get notified when these bottles drop. You won’t want to miss this one.

A pink water bottle with a geometric design stands among a dreamy garden of pink, purple, and yellow flowers. The backdrop is a gradient of pink and lavender, with tree branches overhead. Next to the bottle rests Glinda's sparkling silver crown, adding a fairytale-like touch to the whimsical floral scene.

Designed with a Dash of Oz

The design process started where all good stories do: with the characters. Glinda has sparkle, sunbursts, and glamor for days. Elphaba? She brings the mood—deep tones, dramatic shimmer, and a quiet kind of magic you don’t see coming.


At the center of it all was one goal: to make each bottle feel like a piece of their world. The finishes became our secret weapon—rich, layered, and uniquely Owala. They gave us the chance to step beyond traditional Wicked merch and create something immersive.

“Glinda’s bottle needed to feel like a spotlight moment. Elphaba’s had to feel like moonlight and magic.”

Of course, we’ve done character-inspired drops before and spent several rounds getting those bottles just right. But making Elphaba and Glinda literally shine was a fun new challenge to conquer. 


The result? A Glinda bottle that twinkles in the spotlight, and an Elphaba bottle that owns every shadow it steps into.

A close-up of the bottom half of a pink water bottle with a subtle geometric design. The bottle rests on a mossy surface surrounded by delicate flowers in shades of cream, blush, and lavender, creating a soft, enchanted garden atmosphere.
A close-up of the bottom half of a green water bottle with a geometric pattern and the word "Owala" on the side. The bottle is placed on mossy ground surrounded by deep red flowers and greenery, giving a magical forest-like feel.

The Process: A Peek Behind the Curtain

Designing bottles inspired by two iconic characters? Let’s just say it wasn’t a “one take” situation.


Our team started with a strong concept—something that immediately felt special. But as any good designer will tell you, the job isn’t done until you’ve explored all the options. So we did just that. We tested bolder finishes, reworked layouts, added and removed layers. Some ideas had spark. Others fizzled.

“We explored so many directions—new finishes, new layouts—but we kept circling back to the first one. Sometimes your gut instinct really is the best design.”
— Owala Designer

Working with Universal Products & Experiences added another layer of complexity (and magic). They brought amazingly deep insight into Glinda and Elphaba’s worlds. We brought the Owala touch—texture, color, elevated finishes, and bottles that people love to carry. Finding the right balance meant collaboration, compromise, and a whole lot of late-night file tweaking.


The goal was always the same: make something fans would love, and that we’d be proud to have in our lineup. And in the end, the final designs look a whole lot like where we started—just sharper, shinier, and full of intention.

A green water bottle with a geometric design stands in a lush, mossy forest scene. Next to it is Elphaba's tall, pointed black witch’s hat, evoking a magical, theatrical feel. The backdrop features twisting tree branches with hanging moss and vibrant red flowers, creating an enchanted atmosphere.

The Details: Every Sparkle, Swirl and Subtle Nod

What was the trickiest design detail? 

Designing a Wicked water bottle might sound straightforward. But when you’re working with licensed patterns, curved surfaces, and two completely different character aesthetics? Things get tricky fast. But hey, we love a challenge. When we asked our designer what made this particularly tough, they said:

“Honestly? Making Glinda and Elphaba match without actually matching. They’re opposites, and we wanted to keep it that way—but the bottles still had to feel like a set.”

Glinda is bright and bubbly—Elphaba is bold and powerful. So how do you make them work together? Through little elements that tie them together. Both bottles have an art deco feel (just like Oz) and are finished with a soft shimmer that feels more like “enchanted glimmer” than glitter bomb. It’s the kind of detail you catch in the right light and go, wait… did that bottle just sparkle?

Close-up of a pink water bottle featuring a shimmery geometric pattern with a diamond shape in the center. Inside the diamond is the letter "G" in elegant script, adding a personalized, decorative touch.
Close-up of a green water bottle decorated with a geometric pattern. At the center is a diamond shape enclosing the letter "E" in stylized script. The background shimmers with subtle speckles, giving it a magical, starry effect.

Are there any secret details or Easter eggs?

Absolutely. These Wicked water bottles may look sleek and elevated at first glance—but there’s magic hidden in the details.


Elphaba’s bottle features a black cap, a subtle nod to her signature (and absolutely iconic) witch’s hat. Glinda’s shimmering pink base flashes blue in the light—an homage to her periwinkle dress in Wicked: For Good. And if you flip either bottle over, you’ll spot a small Wicked logo printed on the bottom—just for those in the know.

A green water bottle with a geometric design and a black-and-green lid is displayed against a whimsical forest backdrop. Moss, red flowers, and hanging vines surround the bottle, with a gradient green-and-blue background adding to the enchanted atmosphere.

Who are these bottles made for?

These bottles were made by a fan, for the fans.


This wasn’t just another design project. It was a passion piece—crafted by someone who’s been belting “Defying Gravity” for years and tearing up during the film soundtrack on loop.

“I’m a Wicked superfan and I fought to be on this project. I watched the movie again and again, listened to the soundtrack on loop—these bottles had to feel right, because I knew other fans would care just as much.”

They’re for the people who will be the first in the theater for Wicked: For Good. For the ones who know Glinda isn’t just pink—she’s a whole personality (with humor and heart) and that Elphaba isn’t just green—she’s unapologetic, bold, and dares to soar when the rest of the world stays grounded. For the fans who want their Wicked merch to feel magical, thoughtful, and maybe even a little like art.


Each bottle is built on our iconic 32 oz FreeSip—because something this spellbinding deserves a worthy stage.

A pink water bottle with a geometric pattern and light purple lid stands among soft moss and pastel flowers. The background features blooming branches and a gradient of pink and lavender, creating a dreamy, fairytale-like scene.

If these bottles were songs…

Every design has a soundtrack—and this one was all inspired by the music of Wicked.


Some songs helped set the mood. Others practically shaped the bottle themselves. Each one brought us deeper into Oz—and made sure the magic translated to every curve and sparkle.


Glinda's Bottle: For Good


Graceful. Grounded. Transformative.


Glinda’s bottle was made to shine—but For Good is where her sparkle meets substance. With its iridescent finish and sunburst emblem, it reflects the moment she steps into lasting responsibility, carrying forward the lessons of her greatest friendship - in the same way Elphaba sings how she too has been changed for good. This isn’t just beauty; it’s growth, depth, and the kind of presence that changes everything it touches.


“Glinda’s bottle is totally For Good—elegant, steadfast, and impossible to ignore.”

Elphaba's Bottle: Defying Gravity


Bold. Magical. Unapologetically herself.


Elphaba’s design had to feel powerful, spellbinding, and quietly iconic. That deep shimmer? The dark finish? It’s all about that moment when she takes flight and becomes who she was meant to be, as Glinda looks up to the sky as Elphaba soars and wishes her friend the best.


This bottle doesn’t try to fit in—it owns the space.


But the song that carried the whole process?

“I was constantly listening to the film soundtrack while working on these. It’s the one that always makes me cry.”
— Owala Designer

That track—the one that gets every fan in their feels—became the heartbeat of the design. It played in the background as finishes were tested, patterns were placed, and sparkle was fine-tuned.


Because this drop isn’t just about color or character. It’s about capturing what these witches mean to people—and turning that into something you can carry with you.

Two 32 oz Owala water bottles are displayed in a whimsical, enchanted garden scene. The left bottle is light pink with a geometric design, set against a pink floral backdrop. The right bottle is deep green with a geometric pattern, placed near darker greenery and moss. The background is split pink and green, with blossoming flowers, twisted branches, and hanging vines creating a magical, storybook-like atmosphere.

These two bottles will change you For Good. 

Because together, they’re perfectly wicked.

“They’re so different—one’s soft and sparkling, the other’s bold and grounded—but together they just work. Like Glinda and Elphaba, they bring out the best in each other.”

This limited-edition Wicked movie merch drop is the kind of thing fans will collect, display, and (if we’re being real) probably fight over. They’re also the ultimate way to hydrate while you’re watching Wicked: For Good


Whether you’re bubbly like Glinda, or bold like Elphaba, or just want to sip in spellbinding style, Owala’s Glinda bottle and Elphaba bottle are made to make magic.


These bottles will be POPULAR (cue the song). If you’re the ultimate superfan and want to know more about how to get one, check out our spellbinding FAQs below. 


Or skip the scroll and sign up here to get notifications when they drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Wicked bottles be available?

What size and style are the Wicked bottles?

Is this official Wicked movie merch?

Can I choose which design I want?

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