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While Disney Esmeralda is a gold standard for a compelling Halloween costume, Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame does offer some more unexpected costume ideas. They range in complexity from items that may already be in your closet to more elaborate designs.

These are in no order but the last one might be the most scary one of all……

1. Djali

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali, Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali is the best (a Literal GOAT.) One could get a goat costume and add the gold hoop earring or you could do a cute Disneybounding type look with a cute gray outfit, goat ears and the earring, sort like the SNL A Girl’s Halloween skit.

You could also so the same with Achilles and copy his bridle but less people might get it unless you were with a Phoebus

2 & 3. The Guards

Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Often called the Brutish and Oafish Guard these two a very mean and hostile in the movie. Basically a medieval knight costume and one has a bushy mustache. Could be very fun as a duo.

Bonus points if you do a Patrick Star impression, if you know than you know.

4. The Old Heretic

The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Old Heretic is a running gag throughout the movie. It’s a fairly easy costume with tattered clothing and a white bread.

Bonus points to those who include some kind of prison prop to the costume like a cage or a pillory.

5. Fire Vision Esmeralda

Esmeralda as a fire demon dancing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Damee picture image
Esmeralda as a fire demon dancing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

This is a really cool variation of Esmeralda. In Hellfire, Frollo sees visions of her dancing in the flames. One could do this costume in a few ways like one her costumes but in lightweight fabrics to suggests flames. I love this idea so much.

6. Creepy Hellfire Judge

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

This would be so wonderfully creepy, especially as a group of them with someone dressed up as Frollo. Really this one is pretty simple, it’s dark red hooded cloak with a blacked out face mask. I also love this idea

7. Creepy Statue

Frollo and Notre Dame Bells Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Frollo stares at Notre Dame during the Bells of Notre Dame FDisney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The way the statues stare down at Frollo in damning judgment is very chilling indeed. This idea is more conceptual than actually a recognizable part of the movie but you may have fun as a creepy judgment statue.

8. Nightmarish Gargoyle

Another one of Frollo’s hallucination as costume idea. Basically this idea is the hellish, nightmare gargoyle that casts Frollo into a figurative hell. This gargoyle is a nice contrast from the comedy trio.

9. The Torturer

Frollo with Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

A bit character to be sure but this guy is scary as he loves what he does. The costume is simple and similar to guards but with a black hood, a whip, spike gauntlets, plus a mustache. Doesn’t have a lot of screen time but he makes an impression as he adds to Frollo’s sick sense of humor.

Worst case scenario everyone thinks you’re a torturer and can’t place your costume from the movie but that can be you’re own little secret.

10. The Church Lady

Frollo's Female Doppelganger singing a line in God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
A Noble Lady, God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

This could be a harder costume to make but it could be an interesting costume. She does bare a slight resemblance to Frollo too.

11. Madeline

Madeline Tight Rope Walking Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel II 2 picture Image Disney
Madeline, Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Nothing is scarier than a Straight-to-Video Disney sequel, so why not lean in to it and dress up a Madeline. It’s not too hard of a costume as it consists of a light-green skirt and bodice with white sleeves and a short blonde wig. I’m terrified just thinking about the Hunchback II.

Would you dress up as any of these for a costume party?

It’s the culmination of the Spooky Season, Halloween.

The characters of the Magical Adventures of Quasimodo wear a lot of disguises. Heck, in episode eight they have a Halloween-like festival. What are they all wearing this year for “Witches Eve???”

Whose Costume would Win Best Costume?

Quasimodo as Aladdin…maybe?

Quasimodo in costume with Azarof, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 1
Quasimodo in costume with Azarof

Not really sure what Quasimodo is dressed up here. The fez makes it look like an Aladdin costume. It’s defiantly a look though.

Esmeralda as a Frightful Old Lady

Esmeralda as an Old Lady,The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo, Episode 24
Esmeralda as an Old Lady

This is the first time that a Quasimodo calls an Esmeralda “ugly.” However that means it’s a convincing costume.

Frollo as The Reaper

Frollo looking Scary, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 1
Frollo looking Scary

Classic Frollo! If wasn’t for the scythe this could have been a Phantom of the opera costume.

François as a Spooky Ghost

Spooky Ghost François, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo, Episode 22 The Oracle
Spooky Ghost François

François even has a lighting effect.

Dennis as a Delightful Bird

Dennis as a Bird,The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 1
Dennis as a Bird

A cockatiel maybe?

The King as a Strutting Peacock

The King as a Peacock, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 1
The King as a Peacock

Seems correct for a King to be a Peacock.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

So you like The Hunchback of Notre Dame enough to dress-up from it for Halloween? However you don’t want to be too on the nose. You also want to be weird, or clever or just not a “character” from the novel.

Well here is a list for you. It is a List of Vaguely Hunchback costume ideas that can be as big and crazy as you want or something more last minute.

Also these don’t have to be strictly for Halloween, any costume party would do.

There are ten costume ideas. There are in no real order.

Enjoy

A Gargoyle

Notre Dame's Gargoyle picture images
Notre Dame’s Gargoyle

For whatever reason Gargoyles are NOT a popular choice for Halloween and I think that is a darn shame. Not ONLY are the monstrous but they ward off evil spirits. They are also iconic for Hunchback as they a prominent feature of Notre Dame and they are liken to Quasimodo.

A Medieval High Justice

Jehan Frollo (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Jehan Frollo, Sir Cedric Hardwicke 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame

A costume basically inspired by Disney Frollo or the 1939 version. You could also do the scepter Priest which is from the book.

Goat

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

An Animal costume is classic costume choice. Goats also have scary connotations so it works on that level too. If You WANT to make it Book Djali make the horns gold and add some card that spell Phoebus in a pretty script. Disney version add a hoop earring.

Poet Juggler

Gringoire balancing a chair Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Gringoire balancing a chair Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame

This one is open to interpretation. Basically inspired by Gringoire. You could opt to make a prop chair to balance in your teeth too. A prop chair would be great at parties.

Printing Press

Richard Harris as Frollo and the Printing Press, 1997 The Hunchback picture image
Richard Harris as Frollo and the Printing Press

A weird and out there pick but also very creative. You will be the only one.

Hennin Princess

Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame

Inspired by Fleur de Lys. You would be free to choose any color and decoration you want so long as you have the headgear. Though you are free to add Fleur de Lys in you want.

A Knight

Phoebus (Norman Kerry) 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Phoebus (Norman Kerry) 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Inspired by Phoebus. A basic staple idea although you go with the Burgundian in style. That would require research. Or you a do a Medieval take on a Roman look which is sort of what Disney did. Or you could just be a very shiny Knight as handsome as the sun.

An Alchemist

Frollo (Alain Cuny) practices alchemy, 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Frollo (Alain Cuny) practices alchemy, 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo did practice Alchemy in the book. What would an Alchemist wear????? Up to you. Some wear red jackets with the Flamel cross on the back.

A Stained Glass Window

Notre Dame's South Rose Window picture image
Notre Dame’s South Rose Window

Yet another Creative weird pick. This one could be very striking and crazy. You could take inspiration from the Notre Dame Rose Windows or some other motif. This is the one I’d most liked to see done.

A Bell

Quasimodo with a Bell Les Cloches Notre Dame de Paris picture image
Garou as Quasimodo with a bell

And last but not least, A Bell. You can’t have Hunchback without a Bell. You could go ONE STEP further and be Belle Bell. Do with that as you will.

Which of these ideas would you pick???? I’m Curious.

A Were-Human/Mermaid, A Sea Witch in Disguise and a Prince

It’s a Little Mermaid DIY Costume Buying Guide! Because it’s a the spooky Halloween season there needs to be more costume content.

So it’s The Little Mermaid’s turn.

Ariel’s Human Costume

Ariel’s Blue Dress

Ariel, the titular Little Mermaid, as a plethora of costumes to wear for Halloween fun spooky times. They are great and super iconic. But oddly enough it’s the blue dress she wears on her outing with Prince Eric that is quite similar in type to Esmeralda’s costume which is why it’s the Ariel costume of this post. PLUS it’s good if you live in a cooler climate. What you will need. A light blue long blue shirt or Blouse, a long blue skirt, black corset, black kitten heels, a big blue hair bow and red wig

Ariel’s Top

You could also go for white or dye it if you feel like it. It’s not hard to dye things just can be hard to get the color right.

Ariel’s Top option #1: Hanes Women’s Sport Cool Dri Long Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt, Moisture-Wicking Performance Tee

Ariel’s Top option #2: Ekouaer 2 Pack Women’s Scoop Neck Tops Long Sleeve Slim Fit T Shirt Thermal Shirts Basic Tight Tee XS-XXL

Ariel’s Top option #3: LYANER Women’s Casual Square Neck Long Sleeve Plain Blouse Shirt Top

Ariel’s Skirt

Ariel’s Skirt option #1: v28 Women Full/Ankle Length Elastic Pleated Retro Maxi Chiffon Long Skirt

Ariel’s Skirt option #2: Sinono Womens Chiffon Retro Maxi Skirt Vintage Ankle-Length Skirts

Ariel’s Skirt option #3: Ladies 20 Yard Elegant Satin Long Full Skirt for Ballroom Belly Dance Performance Costume Dress

Ariel’s Black Corset

A less expensive option could be a simple black tube top

Ariel’s Corset option #1: Daisy corsets womens Sleeveless

Ariel’s Corset option #2: MixMatchy Women’s Casual Strapless Basic Sexy Tube Top

Ariel’s Corset option #3: Women’s Vintage Strapless Open Back Boned Mesh Bustier Zip Back Corset Bodyshaper Crop Top

Ariel’s Black Heels

Any black shoes that you have should work. A low heel is more in line with Ariel’s outfit but it’s all good no matter what you have on hand.

Ariel’s Shoe option #1: Clarks Womens Linvale Jerica

Ariel’s Shoe option #2: DREAM PAIRS Women’s Luvly Bridal Wedding Party Low Heel Pump Shoes

Ariel’s Shoe option #3: JOY IN LOVE Women’s shoes Low Heels Pointy Toe Kitten Heel Daily Pumps

Ariel’s Hair Bow

Be sure it’s a large bow because it’s a statement piece in the look.

Ariel’s Hair Bow option #1: Sky Blue Jumbo Bow Clip with Tails

Ariel’s Hair Bow option #2: Hair Clips Boutique Hair Bows Alligator Clip for Women Girl Hairpin 6 Inch TSFJ02 (Light Blue)

Ariel’s Hair Bow option #3: Blue Hair Bows,2 PCS Satin Hair Bows Clip Big Blue Bow for Women Hair Ribbons Long Tail Hair Bow Hair Barrettes for Wedding Prom Party Charm (Light Blue,Royal Blue)

Ariel’s Wig

Normally I would say wigs are a fun add-on but Ariel’s vibrant red hair is so iconic, so if you can get a wig please do.

Red Wig option #1: Red Wig for Women Cosplay Costume Halloween Party Wigs Long Curly Wavy Wig

Red Wig option #2: LABEAUTÉ Max Beauty Red Mermaid Wigs with Starfish Hair Clips, Curly Long Hair Daily Wig Heat Resistant Synthetic Fiber for Halloween for Cosplay for Christmas (Red 1)

Red Wig option #3: Daenerys Targaryen Wig for Game of Thrones Khaleesi Long Curly Wavy Hair Wigs BU121B

Vanessa a.k.a The Sea Witch in Disguise

Vanessa, The Little Mermaid

In The Little Mermaid, Ursula disguises herself as a human and enchants Eric using Ariel’s voice. So it’s a double costume because you’re dressing up as someone in dress-up, costume inception.

Ursula as Vanessa has three looks but again this one has the elements of Esmeralda’s costume plus the other two looks are under-garments and a wedding gown but hey it’s Halloween so those looks would not be out of place.

Vanessa’s purple outfit consists of a dark purple corset, light purple skirt, and golden nautilus shell necklace. For shoes you could go for anything BUT she does where black flat and it does look like heels during the beach scene. You can get wig of you need one and a cloak since again she wears one on the beach when she enchants Eric. Girl is a siren.

Vanessa’s Top

Allow me to be real with you, it’s HARD to find something like Vanessa’s top on offer at Amazon. I tried. Also I’m ignoring the lace up detail.

Vanessa’s Top option #1: REORIA Butsmooth® Womens Basic Sexy Square Neck Sleeveless Tank Tops Bodysuits Clubwear

Vanessa’s Top option #2: Womens Square Neck Double Lined Tank Tops Low Back Fitted Sleeveless Tops

This one is lighter in color but the shape it right

Vanessa’s Top option #3: GRACE KARIN Bustier Corset Top for Women Sexy Slim Cami Tank Top Black White Summer Sleeveless Party

Vanessa’s Skirt

Vanessa’s skirt is lighter purple. Most likely it’s a dress with a corset-like thing over it hence the insert but separates are easier.

Vanessa’s Skirt option #1: ASHER FASHION Women’s Bohemian Style Elastic Waist Band Cotton Linen Long Maxi Skirt Dress

Vanessa’s Skirt option #2: Sinono Womens Chiffon Retro Maxi Skirt Vintage Ankle-Length Skirts

Vanessa’s Skirt option #3: Scarlet Darkness Maxi Long Skirt for Women Double Layered Renaissance Skirts

Nautilus/Conch Shell Necklace

This a must. It’s the piece that holds Ariel’s voice. Try to get some black cording or even shoe lace for a more accurate look.

Nautilus Shell Necklace option #1: Meiligo® Fashion Woman Conch,snail,shell Charm pendant necklace (Gold) 2

Nautilus Shell Necklace option #2: 18K Gold Stainless Steel Bee Honeycomb Necklace, Star Moon Necklace Dinosaur Necklace spider Necklace Adjustable Y Lariat Necklace for Women

Nautilus Shell Necklace option #3: CLASSYZINT Gold Choker Necklace For Women Sun Heart Flower Charms Pendant Necklace Chunky Gold Statement Necklace

Extra Touches

If you need a wig by all means get one. You can also get a dark purple cape for added warmth. For shoes, see the Ariel’s shoe recommendations as Vanessa is pretty much a villainous Ariel look-like. But for shoes you can get away with whatever you think suits.

Brown Wig option: MapofBeauty 40″ 100cm Anime Costume Long Straight Cosplay Wig Party Wig (Dark Brown)

Dark Purple Cloak option: Colorful House Unisex Full Length Velvet Hooded Cape Halloween Christmas Cloak

Prince Eric (for the guys)

Prince Eric

Prince Eric is Ariel’s main romantic interest.

Anyway, Eric’s outfit is fairly easy to acquire. White shirt, dark blue pants, red waistband, and boots. You can add a black wig if you want.

Eric’s White Shirt

Eric’s White Shirt option #1: Mens Medieval Pirate Shirt Viking Renaissance Lace up Mercenary Halloween Scottish Jacobite Ghillie Tops

Eric’s White Shirt option #2: Beninos Mens Long Sleeve Slim Fit Dress Shirts

Eric’s White Shirt option #3: NITAGUT Men Henley Neck Long Sleeve Daily Look Linen Shirts

Eric’s Pants

I’d say any blue pants you have. Eric’s pants are a slim fit but whatever you have should work. His pants do seems to be knee length with a cuffs but it’s not a deal breaker if your look lacks this detail.

Eric’s Pants option #1: Alamo Slim-Fit Chinos Pants Men – Classic Breathable Flat-Front Chino Pants for Men

Eric’s Pants option #2: mens 4-way Stretch Dress Casual Pants, Blue, 32W x 30L US

Eric’s Pants option #3: Perry Ellis Portfolio Very Slim Men’s Dress Pants, Stretch Non-iron Fabric, Flat Front, Soft and Durable Slacks for Men

Eric’s Red Waistband

Eric’s outfit has a pirate-ish look so the red waistband makes sense. Or a cummerbund would also work well.

Eric’s Red waistband option #1: ThePirateDressing Pirate Medieval Renaissance Halloween Costume Large Sash

Eric’s Red waistband option #2: Satin Pirate Sash Pirate Medieval Renaissance Large Sash Halloween Costume Waist Sash Belt

Eric’s Red waistband option #3: Alizeal Mens Paisley/Solid Pre-tied Party Adjustable Bow Tie, Cummerbund and Pocket Square Gift Set

Eric’s Boots

Should be black and knee high. If you got them, rock them

Eric’s boot option: Ellie Shoes Men’s 125-matey Knee High Boot

Black Wig

Again, a wig is not necessary for Eric’s costume but it’s still a fun addition.

Black Wig option: STfantasy Men Short Wigs Male Guy Layered Wavy Halloween Cosplay Anime Party for Dad Hair (Natural Black)

My first reaction was one of utter confusion, like I had no idea how to respond. You can look at this link to see the costume. https://ew.com/movies/2018/12/19/aladdin-first-look-ew-cover-story/

I’m just going to discuss Jasmine’s and Aladdin’s costumes. The costumes were designed by Michael Wilkinson. He has designed costumes for Sucker Punch, Twilight Breaking Dawn parts 1 & 2, 300 and American Hustle and Batman V Superman.

These costumes are bad. They don’t read as for a major movie with a budget. They look more in keeping with a Disney on Ice show.  Let’s just talk about the lack of midriffs. I didn’t think I would miss such an element but the way Jasmine’s costume is cover with a flesh tone fabric over her midriff looks weird. Like she was in an ice show and needed to keep warm or if the actress was extremely modest. Or were they trying to go for a meld of cultural/historical authenticity? Because it would be weird for Disney to start now, with Jasmine’s midriff as a point of contention.  It’s just a weird choice. I don’t get it and I hate it.

Also all the details is just more on more with just more. When it’s that much it starts to look cheap. Removing a few details would have help Jasmine’s costume. Like that gold thing down her bodice. What is that? Or the other gold edging on her bodice. Or those circle details that are on the nude part. I hate it.

Her jewelry is also so bad looking.  I’m not even sure what the basis for the design was because it wasn’t Jasmine’s jewelry or existed jewelry from the Middle East or even India.  It looks really modern to me. Like the got this from a Walmart and made a crown to match. I hate it.

Then there’s Aladdin’s costume and oh boy what is going on here? He’s in a pinstripe shirt with red vest. With striped pants and shoes. Also his pants have a little button at the cuff. What? Why? At least he has his fez. If he didn’t have his red fez  I wouldn’t have know it was him. No scratch that, if it wasn’t for the fact that they said it was Aladdin I couldn’t have known it was the same character.

Maybe this is Aladdin’s costume later in the movie, after he meets the Genie and he gets a new outfit and shoes. I don’t know but hate it.  

I will say that I don’t hate the textures of the fabrics, which is a weird thing to say but they look nice.  

The costumes in Once Upon a Time for these characters were so much better. These one are just confused and tacky. I hate them.    

It is bad that I hope maybe they will look better in the context of the movie? I mean they could. Here’s Hoping. 

Isabelle Guerin as Esmeralda Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris picture image
Isabelle Guerin as Esmeralda Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris

The costumes of the ballet are just so fascinating. First of there are no tutus in this production everything is very streamline and mod which fits the era. Though It was a little early for the trend of mod but we will get to that.

Natalia Osipova as Esmeralda, Roberto Bolle as Quasimodo and Mick Zeni as Frollo, Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris 2013 picture image
Natalia Osipova as Esmeralda, Roberto Bolle as Quasimodo and Mick Zeni as Frollo, Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris 2013

The first area of interest is the use of colors and the lack of colors. The principal roles mostly wear neutrals. Quasimodo wears brown, Frollo wears black, Esmeralda wears white with black details  in first act and purple in the second and Phoebus wears white with a touch of blue. The corps de ballet are the one who wears the colors. So the principal dancers do stand out.

Yves St Laurent’s design for Phoebus

Yves St Laurent, the fashion designer, designed the costume and said that he was inspired by stained glass windows and also Mondrian. Mondrian was a dutch modernist painter from the early 20th century and was part of the De Stijl movement.

What I find really fascinating is around 1965 Yves St Laurent did a collection that was inspired by Mondrian which really shaped the fashion of the late 60’s. So did his work on Notre Dame de Paris inspired that collection or was it a case of it all just happening at the same time?  In an interview Yves St Laurent did site Mondrian as an inspiration for Phoebus’ costume. So did the ballet have an impact on late 1960’s fashion as it help inspired Yves St Laurent? Maybe.

Quasimodo in Roland Petit’s Notre Dame de Paris

Also I should point out that Yves St Laurent also said that Quasimodo’s costume was inspired by frescos. So everything was inspired by cathedral elements which is perfection.  

Phoebus and Esmeralda Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris Ballet picture image
Phoebus and Esmeralda  in Roland Petit’s Notre Dame de Paris

Getting back to the costumes Esmeralda and Phoebus’ their costumes have a extra layer that is pulled off to imply nudity during their tryst which is very interesting and surprising. I do love it when costumes are interactive and part of the narrative, like Cinderella’s transforming dress in Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella or even when Christine Daae gets her big skirt put on during Think of me in Phantom.        

Natalia Osipova as Esmeralda & Roberto Bolle as Quasimodo, Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris Ballet picture image
Natalia Osipova as Esmeralda & Roberto Bolle as Quasimodo

One aspect that I find slightly puzzling is while I don’t mind Esmeralda in white at the start of the Ballet, as it’s the conscious decision to put the principles in neutral, I don’t get why she wears dark purple in the second act. In a pure sense of the novel Esmeralda wears white while she in Notre Dame but here it’s purple. It’s a pretty shade but the decision is weird. If I were to venture guess I would say that the reason is very simple as that dark purple color is a very prominent color in the stained glass windows especially the South Rose window. Plus Esmeralda does not need to stand out as much as the corps de ballet has less to do with the second act.  So maybe it’s not such a weird decision.

Quasimodo and Esmeralda in Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris Ballet picture image
Quasimodo and Esmeralda in Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris Ballet

All in all the costumes are very in keeping with a 1960’s point of view and burgeoning styles of the later parts of the decade. However I love that Yves St Laurent went for his inspiration and combine it with the modern aesthetic of the time to create a real look for this ballet that is wholly unique.     

Also is you look up Yves St Laurent you get a pair of earring that fit Esmeralda perfectly. Perfect for Disneybounding if you got the funds.

Disclaimer: I know very little to nothing about Medieval Fashion and even less about the Romani people. Also this post only focuses on Esmeralda and Fleur de Lys’ costumes.

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1977 picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1977

On first glance Esmeralda’s costume in this version sucks. It looks like something a Juliet would wear. It’s a pink overdress with a high waistline with a dark red and gold embroidered bodice. It’s layered over a chemise with bell sleeves and embroidered armbands. She wears bangles on both wrists and has pink ribbons in her hair. It also seems like she has another gold over layer around the bodice that has some streamer-like detail going done the skirt What is this costume?

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

Well this could be one the worst contextually Esmeralda costumes or it could be one of the most accurate. Isn’t that a crazy thing to suggest?

Looking at art from the late 1400’s with Romani as the subject matter, they didn’t dress all that dissimilarly from White Europeans. They do seem to be wearing a cloth headdress which is exactly what we see in Caravaggio’s fortune teller painting and in Manfredi’s painting but not in Vouet’s fortune teller painting. What is in all these paintings that is in not in the earlier illustrations is the sari-like drape garment.  So it would seem, at least me, that the blanket sari-like wrap was a garment worn by the Romani in the late 1500’s and not in the 1400’s. Could be wrong but given the art available, it points to that notion.

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

Which bring us back to the 1977 version of Esmeralda and her Juliet-ish costume.  A pervasive thought is that Romani were given clothing for fortuning or what not, so Esmeralda COULD have been given this dress in exchange for pleasing some noble for her dancing. Makes a certain level of sense.

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

Comparing Esmeralda’s costume to Fleur de Lys’ costumes you may notice that Esmeralda’s dress has a different silhouette. Fleur’s costumes are more in keeping with the style of  noble women in the 1480’s. The color for Fleur and Esmeralda’s costumes were inspired by the 1956 version of Hunchback; a red tone for Esmeralda and blues for Fleur, someday we’re going to discuss the topic of Esmeralda wearing red again, because I have more to say on that subject.

Hetty Baynes as Fleur de Lys 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Hetty Baynes as Fleur de Lys

Since we’re on the topic, all Fleur’s  costumes are all very beautiful in this version. She gets the fur trim and the hennin which all things that were in style for a lady of her standing in the 1480’s.

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

Esmeralda’s costume looks a bit more like the style from the 1450’s which had a higher waist line but was that costume designer Dorothea Wallace’s intent? Was Wallace’s aim to emulate a style from the 1450’s suggesting that Esmeralda was gifted her dress? Or is there something else operating here? Something Groovy???

Dior pattern from 1977 picture image

Dior pattern from 1977

Like every single period movie ever, costume design is more of a  reflection of the time in which the movie is made rather than historical accuracy. It’s a truth! In the 1977 version while there is a historical silhouette that looks like Esmeralda’s movie costume, the silhouette was in vogue in the 1970’s especially with long gowns. High-waisted  empire waistlines were not super popular in the late 1970’s but you did see it. Also the dull muted pink color of Esmeralda’s dress was in keeping with the muted earth tones that dominated 70’s fashion. Whereas Fleur’s costumes are light and bright in color I.E not as trendy for the decade.  See another example here 

 

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

Does this mean anything? In my non-expert expert opinion, I think this means the costume of Esmeralda is trying to endear the audience to Esmeralda as her costume is aesthetic pleasing to the times and Fleur de Lys’ costumes are not as trendy. Meaning the costumes are showcasing the lovable tragic heroine and the cruel rich bitch.

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

So while Esmeralda’s costume is a 1970’s take on Medieval style  and Fleurs’ costumes are a little bit more in keeping with medieval sensibilities but are the costumes in the 1977 version good? For the most part they are good.As earlier started Fleur de Lys costumes are all lovely but Esmeralda’s costume  doesn’t seem correct. This actually could be less of the fault of the costume and more with the casting. Michelle Newell is not a great casting pick for Esmeralda. This costume does showcase a sweeter Esmeralda that had not been seen since 1923 but it just doesn’t really work with the character or the attitude of the actress.

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

Esmeralda’s costume could have read as more accurate depiction of what a young Romani woman could have worn in the 1480’s, the reality is that her costume was just made with the 1970’s fashion aesthetics in mind.  

With  the new production in Paris of Notre Dame de Paris there has been updates to the costumes. These changes range from fairly minor to a near complete overall, though still in the spirit of the original designs. This also marks the first time the costumes have really been altered aside from minor variations in Esmeralda’s and Fleur-de-Lys’ costumes and of course the Italian version. So let’s start with Esmeralda’s main costume in the 2016/2017 production.     

 

Helene Segara as Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris

Helene Segara as Esmeralda from Notre Dame de Paris

It seems like the evolution of the costume has some full-circle in some ways. As you had the first generation of the green dress, which if you recall was made from a patterned velvet that was sewn to give it a patchworked look and sported asymmetrical sleeves. The caveat with costume is it didn’t move to showcase Esmeralda as a dancer. Though to be fair, the original production didn’t have Esmeralda dancing as much as subsequent versions.

Lola Ponce as Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Lola Ponce as Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris

Italian version has been the only version to really deviate from the original style. The Italian version uses a lighter fabric and the pattern is made from lace though it it keeps the patchwork like pattern. The silhouette was the same of the original.  

 

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda 2016/2017 Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda

Now in 2016, the production seems to have gotten the movement memo and has created an Esmeralda costume that has the basic elements of the original and the movement of the Italian version but it’s all together very different.

Just a bit of background, I first saw this dress at like 2am one night after a few too many weird videos on youtube (more on that next week) and my powers of critical thinking were out. I had no idea how to feel about this new design and to be honest I still don’t. Parts of it I like and other parts I’m confused by.

To be clear this dress is lovely to watch. It’s prettier in motion and I do applaud the production the innovation in changing things up. I for one was getting tired of the newer versions of the costume, with the higher hems and less embellishments.  They just didn’t look visually pleasing.

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda & Jay as Clopin 2016/2017 Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda & Jay as Clopin

Ok, so the actual dress, there is A LOT going on with this costume. First it does hit all the basic components of the original with the color, neckline, basic silhouette, sleeves and slit. Thank you for getting the slit right, looks way better on an actual seam. Honestly, I’m not sure what the first you notice about this costume is  but for me it was the pattern or lack of one. They just nixed the pattern or any attempt at mimicking one. There is a little ombre as it’s a darker green on the bodice and a lighter green on the bottom. The patchwork pattern is now done with seams along the bodice and speaking of these seams they do an interesting asymmetrical overlay over one breast. This fabric overlay starts over the breast on one side goes around the back and ends under the breast on the other side of the bodice. This overlay is where a lot of the costume’s movement comes from and where the sparkly embellishments live. Instead of having sequins or beads sewn on the dress this version has them  in the overlay. I can’t really tell if it’s an insert or a lining. It also matches very closely do it’s harder to see. There also COULD be some sparkle elements on the dress itself but it hard to really tell. There is also ANOTHER overlay at the seam at her waist. 

But wait, there is more. All the edges of the costume are very much ragged. This is of course done on purpose to make Esmeralda look more like she lives on the streets. Most of the other versions did this element to an extent but the 2016/2017 version  has the edges look more frayed and distressed.   

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda 2016/2017 Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda singing Vivre

Then there are the sleeves. There HAS to be two  different versions of the costume because one has shorter, more distressed sleeves and the other has longer less distressed sleeves. The shorter one reaches, at the longest, mid upper arm, just above the elbow. The shorter version also has three layer of fabric. The longer one reaches just past her elbows with no layering. Another theory is that the sleeves were hemmed after the preview of the show as in the picture Esmeralda shouldn’t be wearing the green dress during Vivre.

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda 2016/2017 Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda

 

 That really should bring us to the  prisoner costume but I found so very little pictures of it so I will have to hold off on complaining about it but I what I can make out is it  seems to have an A-line silhouette and looks to made of a lacey burlap.  

 

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda 2016/2017 Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Hiba Tawaji as Esmeralda

I just find that bodice overlay really baffling from a design stand-point. It took me a while to figure it out and while in motion I understand it, in pictures it just looks weird and somewhat awkward. I guess it was a good compromise in adding movement while holding true to the original but it just a weird mix-bag for me. I don’t hate, I’m just not sure I like it. I really don’t know how to feel.

But what do you guys think of this costume? Like it? Hate it? No opinion? Like the disney costume better?

Vincent Elbaz as Phoebus, Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda & Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo Quasimodo d'el Paris picture image

Vincent Elbaz as Phoebus, Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda & Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo

Esmeralda wears Red, Grrrrrr, now that’s out of our system we can move on.  Quasimodo d’El Paris uses a very old but readily easy to red color style, characters you are meant to sympathize with I.E like are all in warm colorful tones while the other less likable characters are in stark colors or black and white. This isn’t like a super hard and fast rule as with the example of Esmeralda/Agnes.

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo & Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda Quasimodo d'El Paris picture image

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo & Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda

As Agnes she wears white. I suppose you could simply make the conclusion that the rich people wear the stark colors and the poorer soul wear colors. While I’m on the subject of Esmeralda, the red doesn’t bother me as much in this movie’s case. For one reason she is not a Romani where that color has negative connotations. In this movie she is a Cuban and while I don’t know the Cuban’s stance of the color red I can say that  the red triangle in their flag stands for equality, fraternity and freedom, none of which are bad things. Second Esmeralda is a lot more free-spitted and doesn’t have that purity she had in the book. And lastly, if you watch this movie and I mean REALLY watch you can see other Cuban ladies wearing the same outfit. It’s like this red dress is standard issue in the Court of Miracles.

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo & Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda Quasimodo d'El Paris picture image

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo & Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda

It’s not just the characters that are set in the warmer tones, Notre Dame a.k.a the Cathedral of El Paris has a  more of an orange hue. The actual Notre Dame has a cooler taupe color while the movie’s Cathedral  is slightly warm in color. It’s not a dramatic difference of color but it’s notability in your mind.

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo Quasimodo d'El Paris picture image

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo

Quasimodo also wears warm colors, mostly orange but some times blue. The point is he wears colors. Likable characters and places get happy colors and not nice people get no colors. Though Frollo is traditionally suppose to be in black.

Richard Berry as Frollo Quasimodo d'El Paris picture image

Richard Berry as Frollo

Just a side note about Frollo, his facial hair. This is the first time Frollo gets a any type of facial hair.  Oddly this type of facial hair is called a “Soul Patch.” It’s funny because he’s a priest trying to save people’s soul. It does make him look more sinister too. Otherwise his overall look is closest to Sir Cedric Hardwaicke from 1939 version, which is the standard Frollo movie look.

 

Ciara Renée as Esmeralda and Andrew Samonsky as Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Ciara Renée as Esmeralda and Andrew Samonsky as Phoebus

On the whole, I like the costumes. There is a lot of good textures and colors that match the spirit of the Disney movie but elevates them to the stage. In particular, I really like  Esmeralda’s main costume and Phoebus’ costume. While I don’t they are accurate to the actual historical times they don’t really have to be. Though I did look up Burgundian fashion/armor and Phoebus might not be too far off, but really it does matter. Esmeralda has a very good re-imaginaing of her Disney look. I find it a bit curious that her hip scarf is devore, which is a velvet that have treated so that fibers are burned away resulting in a pretty pattern. Kind of like this. I find it curious because I have longed suspected that Esmeralda’s original Notre Dame de Paris costume was done with a similar technique so is it an homage or coincidence? I think it’s a coincidence but I like to think it’s an homage.

Ciara Renee as Esmeralda, Papermill production of Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Ciara Renee as Esmeralda, Papermill production of Hunchback of Notre Dame

Her other costumes  are fine too, though I get shade of Ariel’s seashell bra with her red dress in the bodice. Not a criticism, it just something I noticed.

Patrick Page as Frollo singing Hellfire, Papermills Hunchback of Notre Dame, Picture image

Patrick Page as Frollo singing Hellfire, Papermills

However there are aspects of the costume and make-up are I find to be lacking.

Let’s start with Frollo. Poor Frollo, I have not been kind to this version of him. First off Frollo gets like two costume changes.  The black outfit he wears at the start before he takes his vows and during the curtain call. His other costume is his vestments which is his principle costume. He does also wear a black cloak when he goes to the bar. There isn’t so much as issue with his costume as  does fit with his character and profession but they could have done more. His vestment is white with a black stole with a red lining and that is fine but they should made different stoles that cover more of the pure white robe as he  falls deeper into lust because his lust was hardly ever communicated in his acting. Frollo is so cool in this version with minor bits of it here and there because the songs had the lines in the lyrics. Making his costume get a blacker as the show went on would have been a great little visual clue to his psyche as his lust consumes him.

 

Michael Arden as Quasimodo performing Made of Stone Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michael Arden as Quasimodo performing Made of Stone

 

Kind of a similar issue I had with costumes functioning oddly  was the congregation removing their cowls during Made of Stone. The idea was that that they were aspects of Quasimodo’s mind as well as personified in stone but because they actors  are both the statues and people as other points in the show, taking off the cowl reads more of a costume change and they are going for the stones that are Quasmodo imaginary friends to regular towns people. I would have had them pull up the hoods of the cowls to hid their face i.e. losing the humanity Quasimodo gave them and fading into the darkness as soulless statues of stone. Not throwing off the cowl entirely.     (sorry for the bad picture)

Michael Arden as Quasimodo with Saint Aphrodisius, Musical Production of Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Michael Arden as Quasimodo with Saint Aphrodisius, Musical Production of Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hey speaking of Quasimodo, his make-up. I have so many issues with his make-up. I get what they were doing, they wanted to drive the point of what makes a monster and what makes a man by having the actor literally transform into Quasimodo on stage. This is a gimmick and it serves to make it seem like the audience wouldn’t get the point and ultimetly making the Disney movie more mature and taking it audience more seriously.

Also this is not a great transformation, the actor applies like two lines of face paint to his face and that is his facial deformity. Honesty, I don’t have a issue with making the make-up minimal and having the actor do more of the work to convey Quasimodo’s deformity, that is what Notre Dame de Paris did and they had a much more minimal of a  style and they still be more lines on Quasimodo’s face, making that make-up more elaborate. Also it’s not super impressive from a stagecraft perceptive to have a grand set and lines for make-up for a character that is supposed to have facial deformity. Maybe had they added a little bit more to that real time transformation, like an eye protusion prothetic it would have been a little more impressive.  Der Glockner’s make-up wasn’t anything amazing and yet it looks like the Phantom of the Opera comparatively but that wasn’t the point they wanted to be minimal, (or save on the make-up budget.)

The issue of “minimalism” is something that will get discussed in the  next post but it seems like there is a solid disconnect of the make-up, the costumes and the sets. For the most part the sets and the costume go together fine. They are not what would considered overly grand and elaborate  but they  richly colored and textured but the make-up is minimal? It’s just weird especially for a character who is known for a facial deformity? That is like making the Phantom of the Opera’s deformirt look like a sunburn, oh wait they did that.

It was a decent thought for Quasimodo’s make-up but it was misguided and lacking in execution. It’s like they needed to pick a style and commit, not have aspects of the production to be one style and other aspects be another.

 

And remember you can still vote in the poll, so tell your friends.

What should be the next version?

  • Quasimodo d'el Paris (53%, 9 Votes)
  • The Dingo Version (35%, 6 Votes)
  • Other (PLEASE say what it is in the comments) (12%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 17

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