A Reimagined Classic
The Little Mermaid (2023) is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1989 animated film of the same name, which is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale. The film stars Halle Bailey as the title character, Ariel, who is fascinated with the human world. After saving Prince Eric from a shipwreck, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to walk on land.
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The casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel was a brilliant breath of fresh air, bringing a uniqueness to the character and the visual storytelling. The artistic combination of underwater hues of blue and green, paired with Ariel's iconic red hair and purple accents in her fins, lent well to the complexion and features of the actor. I was immediately inspired to create a design of my own based on this film.
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Design Inspiration
I imagined what an entertainment offering may look like if it were to feature Ariel's character as she appears in the 2023 film. I designed her look to be functional for a performer to walk, dance, and sit in without the limitations of a physical mermaid tail. I instead designed the skirt with a ruffled hem to hide the performers legs while also allow for comfortable movement. The bodice is a structured top with gathered purple sequin "seashell" cups, with sheer chiffon flounces to add a bit more coverage to the look. The garments are accented with various strands of pearls and beads, and sparkling rhinestones throughout. The costume could be worn with an optional midsection covering in the same tone as the performers skin with matching rhinestone and bead details. To finish the look I designed a headdress of sea flowers, beads, and pearls.
