The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is set to begin this week. While the Festival celebrates visual, performing, and culinary arts, there isn’t a better time to see the debut of new costumes for the Voices of Liberty!
The beloved a cappella group will be featured year-round in this new look, except for Christmastime when they wear their Victorian outfits. Talent, time, and careful design came together to create the dazzling new threads.
The talented costume design and production team at Disney Live Entertainment were responsible for the new looks. Let’s look at the creative process and what it takes for these costumes to come to life.
Designing costumes for an iconic ensemble is no small feat but the Disney Live Entertainment team was up to 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. It may surprise you to know that a vintage American flag inspired the color palette.
Ensuring the garments are visually stunning yet functional for the performers who wear them daily while singing is a vital aspect of costume design. 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 crucial in a project like this amongst the Costuming team and 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.”
The Costuming team is very excited about the final product, with the most memorable part of the process was how it brought 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.
As you might imagine, the new costumes for the Voices of Liberty 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.
Looking forward to seeing the Voices of Liberty perform in their new costumes?