There is one tale that every little girl knows where good triumphs over evil and that is Cinderella.
When the announcement was made that there would be a new live action Cinderella movie I didn’t know what to think- why mess with such an iconic figure when there has been so many versions and spin-offs of this famous tale already?
Last week I attended a Press Screening of Disney’s new Cinderella and all my doubts were put to rest.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Cinderella stars Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother Lady Tremaine and Lily James (of Downton Abbey) as Cinderella.
The film is absolutely perfect and Lily James as Cinderella is absolutely perfect. The writing, the actors, the sets and of course the oh so dreamy costumes create a magical menagerie that will become an instant classic!
One of the most mesmerizing scenes from the film is when Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, played by Helena Bonham Carter- transforms her into her look for the ball.
Bibbity Bobbity Boo!
Oscar-winning Costume designer Sandy Powell began working on concepts for the characters’ look almost two years before principal photography began in the summer of 2013. The British designer took inspiration from the animated film during her design process.
“I wanted to make the gown look enormous,” she told Vanity Fair. “The gown had to look lovely when she dances and runs away from the ball. I wanted her to look like she was floating, like a watercolor painting.”
…and when that skirt glides across the dance floor it is completely enchanting! The movement is unbelievable, as if it is floating!
The voluminous skirt was composed of more than a dozen layers of fabric that included crepeline silk, printed polyester, and iridescent nylon in varying shades of blue and turquoise. Underneath those layers, was both a corset and petticoat. Nine versions of Cinderella’s ball gown were created, each featuring more than 270 yards of fabric, 4 miles of thread (for one petticoat alone), 3 miles of hems and 10,000 Swarovski crystals with 18 tailors working 500 hours to complete per dress.
Cinderella’s famous glass slippers were brought to life by Powell in the form of a gorgeous 5 inch heel using Swarovski crystal. Powell choose Crystal for it’s light reflecting properties. She wanted the shoe to sparkle and shine and glass would just appear clear.
Eight pairs of the shoes were created, but none were never worn because, contrary to what the Fairytale tells us, it is impossible to walk in crystal shoes due to their shape and inability to flex! To appear on-screen as if she were wearing glass shoes, the visual effects department superimposed the crystal shoes over the leather shoes James wore during the filming!
Disney’s Cinderella opens nationwide March 13.
Click below to shop some Cinderella Inspired Finds!
ONE: LC by Lauren Conrad Glass Slipper Sweater
TWO: MAC Cosmetics Disney’s Cinderella Collection
THREE: Modern Princess by Coco Rocha Dutchess Blouse