The Disney Princess Cavalcade: Interview with the Costume, Make-up and Wig Creators

Disneyland Paris has shared a closer look at the craftsmanship behind the Disney Princess Cavalcade at Disney Adventure World.

Costume designer Isabelle Lemarié collaborated with hair and makeup designers Julie Martinez and Jordan Ribeiro on the production. Their goal was not to reproduce every outfit from the animated films. Instead, the team studied the movies and their accompanying “Art of…” books, then developed new designs that retained each story’s artistic identity.

That approach turns fabric, hairstyles and accessories into part of the cavalcade’s storytelling. The creative choices discussed by Disneyland Paris include water-lily patterns for Tiana’s group, asymmetrical shapes and small braids for Raya’s group, and handmade details for Moana’s accompanying performers.

How each Princess inspired a visual world

Directors Françoise Baffioni and Matteo Borghi introduced the featured Disney Princesses to the creative team. From there, the designers revisited the characters, settings and recognizable motifs in their respective films.

Tiana’s performers move visually between New Orleans and the bayou. Vests and caps establish the city setting, while water-lily patterns printed against several colored backgrounds represent the wetlands. Guests can recognize that change of place through the costumes while the procession remains in motion.

Raya’s group draws from the Southeast Asian-inspired imagery of her film. Lemarié created a related print in three colors and used intentionally asymmetrical shapes throughout the costumes. Martinez and Ribeiro continued the idea with small braids and colorful makeup.

Fans following Disney Adventure World news can compare the groups by silhouette as well as color. Each section uses its own shapes, materials and styling choices to establish a setting.

Handmade details built for live performance

Moana’s accompanying performers wear raffia skirts, bracelets decorated with sewn-on shells and macramé necklaces. Lemarié used prints and chalk-like textures inspired by pastels to give those surfaces a handmade appearance.

Pink, yellow and orange flower crowns add another layer of color and texture to the group’s styling. Together with the raffia, shells, macramé and pastel-inspired surfaces, the floral accessories help establish a distinct visual identity for Moana’s section of the cavalcade.

Guests watching the cavalcade can focus on one section from head to toe. Tiana’s water lilies, Raya’s asymmetrical cuts and Moana’s colorful flower crowns show how the production communicates character and location beyond the Princesses themselves.

The July 17, 2026, announcement concentrates on the creative process. It does not include performance times, an operating schedule or new guest access information.

Lemarié has worked at Disneyland Paris for 30 years, including 15 years as a costume designer for shows and parades. Martinez and Ribeiro have each spent ten years with the company, with experience spanning show makeup, attraction hairstyling, wigs and creative design.

Source: Disneyland Paris News