How ‘The Lion King’ Concert Costumes Came Together With Bodysuits and Baskets
Costume designer Marina Toybina has recently completed a monumental task in her career by creating the costumes for Disney’s “The Lion King” 30th anniversary celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. The live concert was recorded in May 2024 and is now available for streaming on Disney+.
In the lead-up to the show, Toybina welcomed Variety into her studio in Glendale, where a sense of calm permeated the space. Surrounded by animal prints and fabrics, Toybina and her team were hard at work finalizing the costumes for the event. Despite the impending deadline, Toybina remained composed and focused on the task at hand.
With a project of this scale, one might wonder how Toybina would manage to pull it off. However, she effortlessly rose to the occasion and delivered stunning costumes for the celebration. Known for her work on projects like “The Masked Singer” and “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” Toybina thrives under pressure and embraces challenging assignments.
The 30th anniversary celebration of “The Lion King” was a grand affair, featuring alumni from the original animated film, as well as cast members from the Broadway production and live-action remakes. Toybina’s team consisted of 10 principal cast members and 30 dancers, making it one of her largest projects to date.
Before diving into the costume design process, Toybina immersed herself in the world of “The Lion King” franchise, studying every iteration, including the Broadway production. Collaborating with the Broadway team, she ensured her designs complemented the existing aesthetic while adding her unique touch to the costumes.
Research played a crucial role in Toybina’s creative process, with hours spent studying animal features and tribal prints for cultural accuracy. Each costume was meticulously crafted to bring the Pride Land creatures to life on stage, using bodysuits as the base and adding intricate details on top.
From zebra ears to giraffe tails, Toybina left no detail overlooked, ensuring each costume was lightweight, durable, and comfortable for the performers. Some elements were sourced from store-bought materials, showcasing Toybina’s resourcefulness and creativity in costume design.
As the show came together, Toybina’s vision for the costumes became a reality, with tribal jewelry and adornments adding the finishing touches to the ensemble. With the success of “The Lion King” celebration under her belt, Toybina now sets her sights on designing costumes for a live-action Disney movie, ready to take on the next challenge in her career.
