If you love artistry expressed in clothes and costumes, you’re in for a visual treat with this look at the D23 Expo costume contest.
The 2019 D23 Expo has focused on costumes in various ways. The Archives exhibit is costume focused and there are panels explaining what every theme park fan knows… costumes help paint a story. Indeed, it just takes seeing a Tomorrowland Cast Member in Frontierland to reinforce that story is key to an immersive experience.
The Disney community is made up of many artisans, and craft makers. Costumers and talented visionaries. We are reminded of the incredible level of talent in our community when D23 rolls around and we are excited to share some of the best costume work we’ve ever seen! The level that this costume contest asks the participants to be at is impressive. These are not party city costumes by any means!
So how does the competition work?
Contestants send in entries ahead of the competition and are selected to compete at the D23 Expo. On the day of the contest, Each participent spends 2 hours with the judges while they ask questions and inspect the costumes close up. There are 5 categories and a winner is chosen from each category, and then each winner competes for Best in Show and a cash prize of $2,300!!
They are judged by a panel of experts. This year’s judges were:
- Jennifer Leonard – Raw Threads President
- Ashley Eckstein – Her Universe
- Yvette Nicole Brown – Actress
Let’s look at the Top 5 Costumes as selected by the judges and then I’ll show you my favorites!
- Once Upon a Costume – Worlds of Fantasy and Make Believe
Winner: Allen Waiserman – Lumiere
2. World of Adventure – Buccaneers to Galaxy Royalty
Winner: Tahirah Agbamuche – Shuri
3. Heroes and Villians
Winner: Nyssa Sara Lee – Ursula
4. Inspired By Disney – Anything Disney
Winner: Tina Elliott – Grim Grinning Gown
Yes, this Haunted Mansion dress is fully animated, with moving doom buggies (that even rotate to face the show scenes), dancing ghosts, and motion effects.
5. Cast of Characters
Winner: Katherine Reigner – Mad Princess Party
Best in Show: Tina Elliot – Grim Grinning Gown
It is no surprise that the most complex of the costumes was the grand prize winner.
While all the winning costumes were fantastic indeed, I have some additional favorites that deserve some MiceChat screen time:
Minnie D’Moocha as Lady Tremaine
Sierra – Children of the World
Maryna Matlock – Elsa from Frozen Fever short
Jack Mattson as Sully from Monsters, INC
Nora Chapkovich – Haunted Mansion Bat Stantion
Incredible Artistry! This panel inspired me to want to get back into costuming and maybe compete on the stage myself in a future Expo! What say you dear readers? Did the judges do a good job? And how about the effort it takes to be a winner. I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of time and money must have gone into some of these costumes.
Stop by the MiceChat Booth 525E to meet Disney Legends, Animators, Artists, Imagineers, Authors, and win fantastic prizes from our sponsors at Get Away Today, The Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort, and The Anaheim Hotel.
Be sure to stay tuned to MiceChat for continued coverage, photos, and news throughout D23 Expo weekend!
Keep up to date with our D23 Expo coverage here.
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