Ever wondered what makes Disney parade costumes so magical? It’s far more than just fabric and thread. Makeup, hair, and intricate wigs all work together to create that unforgettable immersion for guests. To truly get a glimpse behind the scenes of ‘The Disney Princesses’ Cavalcade,’ a dazzling new production at Disney Adventure World, we chatted with costume designer Isabelle Lemarié, and hair & makeup designers Julie Martinez and Jordan Ribeiro.
Before we dive into ‘The Disney Princesses’ Cavalcade,’ could each of you tell us a bit about your journey and what you do here at Disneyland Paris?
Isabelle: I’ve been with Disneyland Paris for 30 years now. I started as a dresser for shows, then became an assistant, and for the last 15 years, I’ve designed costumes for parades and shows. It’s an incredible job that demands a deep understanding of stage costumes, costume history, and sewing. We bring stories and sets to life through our designs, and researching materials is crucial. Some of my favorite projects include ‘The Forest of Enchantment’ (2016), where I first worked with Julie. Then there was ‘Disney Junior Dream Factory’ in 2021, ‘A Million Splashes of Colour’ in 2024, and more recently, the opening of World of Frozen right here at Disney Adventure World.
Julie: I’ve been with the company for ten years. I began in operational cosmetology, essentially doing the artists’ makeup on the ground. Later, I became an experienced Cast Member, focusing heavily on shows, before moving into creation about four years ago. ‘Alice and the Queen of Hearts: Return to Wonderland’ was my first big creative project.
Jordan: As for me, I’m a wig hairdresser. I started at Disneyland Paris ten years ago as an intern, then became a Cast Member. From there, I moved to the cosmetology workshop, where I styled the Audio-Animatronics for attractions, before becoming chief wig hairdresser and eventually a cosmetology designer, just like Julie. When we work together, I typically handle hair and wigs, while Julie focuses on makeup, though we can definitely swap roles. As you can see, Isabelle, Julie, and I form a fantastic team, and we also work closely with the milliners, who handle all things hats!
So, how did you bring the outfits for ‘The Disney Princesses’ Cavalcade’ artists to life?
Isabelle: Once directors Françoise Baffioni and Matteo Borghi shared the project and confirmed which Disney Princesses would be featured, we immediately dove back into the animated films. Everything starts with the stories from the Studios! Matteo also encouraged us to explore the ‘art of’ books released with each Disney animated feature. These were invaluable, packed with images and concepts, especially for the characters’ iconic costumes and motifs. However, for our parade artists, we decided to imagine original outfits, keeping them perfectly aligned with the artistic style found in the Disney films.
From New Orleans to the Pacific Islands, each float in the cavalcade invites guests on a journey. How did you express these destinations through the costumes?
Isabelle: Tiana’s float whisks us away to New Orleans and the bayou. For the city vibe, our accompanying artists wear vests and caps. Then, to evoke the bayou, I had so much fun with the motifs – water lilies! We printed them on different colored fabrics, really bringing that lush bayou feel to life.
For Raya’s float, we stayed quite faithful to the film. Even though Kumandra is an imaginary realm, it strongly echoes Southeast Asia. I adore that aesthetic and drew directly from it to create the performers’ outfits. I searched for a print reminiscent of those in the movie, then adapted it in three different colors. Plus, the costumes are intentionally asymmetrical, which adds an extra layer of dynamism.
Jordan: Julie and I then took Isabelle’s designs and developed hairstyles featuring cute little pigtails, along with makeup inspired by the film’s elegant yet colorful aesthetic.
The creators of ‘Moana’ truly honored the Pacific Islands. What was your approach for that unit?
Isabelle: It was exactly the same approach for Moana! I insisted that the costumes for this unit feel authentic and truly respect the spirit of Pacific Island culture. I loved working with the materials, like raffia for the skirts, and the prints. I aimed for a ‘handmade’ look, with chalk-like textures, inspired by pastels, almost as if the costumes were painted right there. We also used raffia for bracelets, with shells sewn on. For the necklaces, I had the idea to use macramé, a weaving style very similar to what you see in the film. The goal is to transport the audience on this journey through all these evocative details.
Jordan: The artists accompanying Moana on this adventure also wear stunning flower crowns. I collaborated closely with Isabelle to ensure their colors harmonized with the costumes, using shades of pink, yellow, and orange. It gives them such a lovely, vibrant touch! Technically, it was quite a challenge. The crowns must fit all head sizes, and the attachment needs to be stable and secure enough so they don’t budge while our artists dance. For this, we worked internally, hand-in-hand with the milliners in the costume workshop, to find a fixation system that consolidates the wig, the artist’s hair base underneath, and the flower crown.
Rapunzel’s accompanying artists, however, have a completely different vibe!
Isabelle: For Rapunzel’s unit, I had complete creative freedom to imagine something super cartoony! I watched the ‘I’ve Got a Dream’ sequence from the Snuggly Duckling Tavern on repeat. Our artists are brigands, and the magic of this scene is that each one is a distinct character. Each personality needed to shine through their costume, especially by playing with materials. We used raw, natural fabrics, and a patina finish enhances the shadows and highlights. I truly enjoyed developing this very theatrical approach.
Jordan: For the artists’ wigs, we started with the directors’ concept and Isabelle’s drawings. The hairstyles are completely wild! On this unit, they really help tell the story, and that includes wigs and facial prosthetics like moustaches and goatees. We had to design these so artists could put them on and take them off quickly and easily several times a day. It’s a particularly interesting and genuinely funny unit! Usually, every detail of a wig’s styling is determined beforehand, down to a single strand. But for this unit, we have completely exploded, deconstructed looks. It’s all about a global impression. The technique perfectly mirrors the characters’ zany, whimsical side!
Julie: For the makeup, I also drew heavily from Isabelle’s costume designs. Everything starts there, to create a perfect harmony from head to toe. For the brigands, we went for an exaggerated, caricatural approach to really bring out each individual’s identity. I worked very closely with the directors to give each brigand a precise look. We even added nose prosthetics to give them a comic, cartoon-like appearance. There’s even a little magical touch in the makeup! The biggest part of the job was making each personality identifiable, especially through joyful and dynamic colors, all while coordinating harmoniously with the main character, Rapunzel. I also want to give a shout-out to my creative cosmetology team. It’s a true team effort: we advance creative projects together, sharing our ideas and expertise to bring our shows to life here at Disneyland Paris.
How do the artists manage the wigs and makeup you’ve designed on a daily basis?
Jordan: Our operational cosmetology teams handle all the hair styling. In some cases, an artist might put on and secure their own wig, but it’s always under the supervision of the operational teams. This ensures our creators’ vision is consistently respected.
Julie: We always have a team of makeup artists on site. For more technical elements, like prosthetics, they are the ones who apply them. The rehearsal period for a show like this includes a training phase that can last several weeks or even months, depending on the project. This ensures every artist perfectly masters their makeup. We also provide them with step-by-step technical sheets so they can be autonomous, though our operational cosmetology teams are always on hand for support if needed.
The practicality of the costumes is just as essential in the creation process.
Isabelle: My team, which includes a costume designer and three assistants, works especially hard on ergonomics. Our outfits must be comfortable and allow total freedom of movement. So, we collaborate to choose fabrics that are flexible and not too warm in summer, but also protect from the cold in winter. After all, a cavalcade performs through every season! We add more layers as temperatures drop. We even have a dedicated material sourcer who visits major textile shows, constantly bringing us innovative solutions to better protect and support our performers.
And where do you source all these incredible materials?
Isabelle: Everything comes from France, both from Paris and the provinces. Then, the fabrics are embroidered, enhanced, and perfected right here in our workshops.
Costumes, makeup, and wigs truly blend creativity and technical expertise.
Isabelle: It’s a true privilege for us to express ourselves on both the creative and technical fronts within our specialties. Every project brings new challenges, and with ‘The Disney Princesses’ Cavalcade,’ we certainly had plenty of opportunities to push the boundaries!
