Cinderella’s Costumes — A Lot of Sewing and A Little Movie Magic

In Disney’s animated version, Cinderella has some very handy mice to help sew her dress for the ball.  The costumes for this week’s live-action version, designed by Sandy Powell, required the work of many, many humans.  For the wedding dress alone, shown in just one short scene, 16 people sewed for 550 hours to create a gown Powell designed to suit the characters modest simplicity.  The story’s most famous detail is the glass slippers Cinderella’s fairy godmother creates for to her wear to the ball.  In this version, the shoes were made of Swarovski crystal, because “glass does not sparkle,” Powell told Vanity Fair.  But crystal doesn’t work for actual shoes that go on actual feet.  So, the shoes worn by actress Lily James were converted by movie magic — CGI.

Powell, nominated for 10 Oscars and winner of 3, Powell worked on the film for almost two years before it began filming.  My favorite costumes in the film are the dramatic hats and dresses worn by Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother.  Powell’s work has a magic all its own.

All photos copyright Disney 2015