Fashioning Fairytales: When Disney princesses inspire red carpet fashion

This year’s Cannes film festival saw actresses bringing to life famed Disney Princesses on the red carpet. Blake Lively’s sea blue floaty Versace number looked like it was from Queen Elsa’s closet. Alicia Vikander at Oscars 2016 channelled her inner Belle from Beauty and the Beast in a bright yellow Louis Vuitton number. At the Golden Globe, Jennifer Lawrence in a monochrome off-shoulder and tubular Dior brought to mind Ariel and Elle Fanning brought Aurora to life in a periwinkle-hued, off-the-shoulder Elie Saab Haute Couture at the LA premiere of Maleficent in 2014, when she played Sleeping Beauty.

Lupita Nyong’o looked every bit the fairytale Cinderella in a plunging blue Prada dress at the Oscars 2014 and Katie Holmes was Belle personified in an off-the-shoulder, marigold Marchesa dress with floral details at the 2014 Met Gala.

Larger-than-life appeal 

Designer Aartivijay Gupta says, “The connect is both Disney Princesses and the red carpet events have a larger than life appeal and purpose. These outfits are extravagant and extraordinary. Nothing on the red carpet is mundane. Also, female beauty is best personified and accentuated in long, stunning gowns so both stir towards the same thought. Disney themes have become a trend on the red carpet. I believe it goes perfectly well hand in hand and the uncanny resemblance between the two is spectacular. For me, bringing Disney outfits to life is a complete yes as it further adds to the glam and style quotient.”

Designer Gabriella of label Deme by Gabriella shares that she doesn’t know a woman out there who doesn’t love a Disney princess. 

“Fantasy and fashion go hand in hand. Girls want to have fun when they are on the red carpet. Perhaps subconsciously they have always wanted to emulate that character. I’d love to see Pocahontas on the carpet,” she says.

Impact on young girls

Funnily enough, reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian brought Pocahontas to mind in a caramel suede Alice + Olivia mini and a choker at a shopping event early this year.
Designer Swapnil Shinde says, “Disney princess images have an immense impact on the minds of young girls. It is every girl’s childhood dream to look like a princess when she grows up.”

Adds to the dream-like moment

Designer Dimple of the label Dimple and Amrin says, “The whole concept of timeless elegance, simplicity, eternal beauty, real world glamour mixed with fairytale aspirations resonate when we combine red carpet and Disney princesses.”

Designer Amy Billimoria says, “Clothes are a method of communication, therefore it is imperative to keep the elegance and class intact along with the theatrics of the Disney princesses.”

Designer Kunal Anil Tanna says, “The grace and elegance with which they carried themselves, well-coiffed do’s and glass slippers. It just adds to the elaborate dream-like moment.”

Designer Sana of the label Circus says, “Red carpet is all about larger-than-life, and what’s better then taking inspiration from beautiful Disney princess in their flamboyant dreamy gowns.”

Designer Anjoo Karanjia says, “All girls grow up inspired by the feminine beauty that Disney princesses portray.”

Designer Rajdeep Ranawat says, “Be it the character of Frozen, or the Sleeping beauty or even Pocahontas — these characters will always be an inspiration to everyone. Just like classics are there to stay! Similarly, we can expect the same from the trends inspired by popular cartoon characters as well. Technically, we should be giving a thumbs up to the creators of the costumes of these characters who are the real artists and thereafter global trendsetters as well.”