This just in from Disney Parks!
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is a time to celebrate visual, performing, and culinary arts. This year, at the start of the festival, we will get to see the art of costume design with the debut of new Voices of Liberty costumes!
This new look for the beloved a cappella group will be featured year-round–except during the holidays, of course–and the costumes are the product of talent, time and careful design. To get a closer look at the artistry and effort behind these creations, I sat down with the talented costume design and production team at Disney Live Entertainment responsible for these new looks.
Let’s take a peek into their creative process and what it takes to bring these costumes to life!
Concept designs for new Voices of Liberty costumes
Designing for such an iconic ensemble is no small feat and our team was up for the challenge! “We wanted to create a cohesive look that celebrated the grandness of the rotunda in which they perform and the impact of their musical presentation through incorporating a visual aesthetic of music itself,” explained Josh, Costume Designer with Disney Live Entertainment. When it came to the color palette, he found inspiration from a vintage American flag. This allowed him to create unique looks for each performer while still coordinating with the whole group, illustrating the way in which individual voices come together as one.
One of the most important aspects of costume design is ensuring the garments are visually stunning yet functional for the performers who will wear them daily while singing. The design features a streamlined, architectural energy, so it was essential to select fabrics that could be tailored well while providing the crisp construction needed. Aubry, the Costumer for this project, sourced a sustainable fabric made from 50% or more recycled materials. “The fabric could also be custom dyed to match the exact colors chosen by our designer, allowing us to achieve the intended vision as closely as possible.”
Collaboration is key in a project like this – not just within the Costuming team, but also in partnership with the Voices of Liberty cast. “When we fit our performers for costumes, we make sure they demonstrate movements they might need to make during the show, which can vary person to person,” Aubry explained. “For example, our vocal captains use a wide range of arm movement while conducting, so comfort and mobility in the back and shoulders is of extra importance.”
When asked about the final product, our Costuming team couldn’t contain their excitement. For them, the most memorable part of the process is how it brough everyone together. A highlight for both Josh and Aubry was when the Voices of Liberty visited the costume shop to perform a special thank you for the entire Creative Costuming team who worked on the project, including stitchers, drapers, cutters, and more, all while wearing the new costumes they worked so hard to create.
The new Voices of Liberty costumes are more than just clothes; they are an example of the artistry of costuming. From the thoughtful design choices to the detailed production processes, the Creative Costuming team created something that both the performers and our guests will enjoy and appreciate for years to come.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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