From our Friends at D23
Today, the Arlington Museum of Art in Arlington, TX, announced the September 14 opening of Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume and All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives. Both exhibitions are presented in partnership with the Walt Disney Archives.
“Whether on television, in a movie theatre, or at a Broadway show, when we meet a Disney character for the first time, we instantly begin to understand them. That is how extraordinarily important costume design is to conveying persona,” said Chris Hightower, President & CEO of the Arlington Museum of Art, “and how Disney truly sets the standard of excellence. By bringing these two exhibitions together for the first time, the Arlington Museum of Art surrounds visitors in the transformative power of wardrobe while celebrating the artists whose creativity and talent is conveyed in every design, every stitch, and every jewel.”
This will be the first time that the two collections will be exhibited at the same time by a single venue. Together, they feature more than 300 stunning pieces spanning over 65 years.
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume immerses visitors in the textural storytelling and character development woven into Disney’s iconic costumes. The exhibition is organized into three Disney archetypes: heroes, villains, and the spaces between, dedicated to the complex and intriguing antiheroes of Disney storytelling.
The exhibition features a stunning collection of original costumes, including the Sanderson Sisters’ wicked wardrobe from Hocus Pocus 2 (2022), Mary Poppins’ delightful traveling dress from Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Belle’s ball gown from 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, the Evil Queen and Hook’s costumes from Once Upon a Time (TV, 2011-2018), and the dress worn by Bette Davis as Letha in Return from Witch Mountain (1978).
Through original items including ball gowns, sorcerers’ capes, a pirate’s jacket, and iconic glass slippers, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume celebrates the artistry of some of Hollywood’s preeminent designers. Included in the exhibition are costumes created by Academy Award® winners Colleen Atwood, Sandy Powell, and Tony Walton, as well as Emmy® winner Ellen Mirojnick and Emmy nominees Eduardo Castro and Penny Rose.
All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives
All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives dazzles with prized pieces of jewelry and accessories. From crowns and tiaras to watches, rings, and necklaces, this exhibition gives visitors the rare opportunity to see these iconic jewels up close, while gaining an understanding of how integral they are to completing the ensemble and informing the character.
The exhibit is presented in five parts: “Every Little Detail” brings together over 80 small pieces from earrings, cuff links, rings, and more; “The Feature Vault” is an incredible collection of crowns, tiaras, necklaces, and pendants; “Watches Through the Decades” chronologically showcases the Walt Disney Archives’ collection of wrist and pocket watches; “Made for Screen” gives visitors a peek behind the curtain to see the process of creating some of the most iconic jewelry props; and “Reflections of Reality” showcases jewelry and accessories that were heavily influenced and inspired by real life people and stories.
Bringing together some of the best of old and new, All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives includes King Brian’s crown from Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) used by Jimmy O’Dea, Elizabeth Swann’s pirate medallion necklace from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl(2003) used by Keira Knightley, Mia’s coronation crown from Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement(2004) used by Anne Hathaway, and Ursula’s shell necklace from The Little Mermaid (2023) used by Melissa McCarthy to capture Ariel’s voice.
More information, including press preview opportunities, will be announced later this spring. Tickets for the exhibitions will be available starting in June, only at arlingtonmuseum.org. Museum members will have early access to free tickets as a part of their membership benefits.
