Heroes & Villains:
The Art of the Disney Costume

Presented by the Walt Disney Archives

Exhibit at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation®

June 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: The Gallery by General Motors

Free for members or with museum admission.

BUY TICKETS
View Pricing

Presenting Sponsor:
Key Bank

“Most people are not aware that it’s about designing a total person, not just clothing. I’m designing a character from head to foot."
—Three-time Academy Award® nominee Judianna Makovsky

Across nearly every medium Disney has touched, since the earliest days of animation, through innovations in live-action filmmaking, pioneering efforts in television, location-based entertainment and retail, and even gaming—one creative aspect of Disney has been seldom-recognized, but ever-present: that of costume design.

This exhibition explores nearly six decades of films produced by The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, and Disney Theatrical Group, in an effort share with guests the level of craftsmanship and artistry required to produce every costume presented across stage and screen. Incorporating 79 costumes from 32 films and representing 24 different designers worn by 71 different actors, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume will prove to be truly unique and magical experience for guests of all ages.

Using more than 70 original pieces, including ball gowns, sorcerers’ capes, military uniforms, tiaras, and of course glass slippers, the exhibition explores the vision, process, and craft used to create the costumes worn by some of the biggest names in entertainment. Heroes & Villains features costumes from some of Disney’s kindest heroes and toughest villains, as well as insights from designers, photographs, interactives, and a special film.

Exhibition Costume Highlights

101 Dalmatians (1996) - Cruella de Vil
Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) - Red and White Queen
Beauty and the Beast (2017) - Belle ball gown, Gaston and Beast
Cinderella (2015) - Cinderella ball gown
Hocus Pocus (1993) - Sanderson Sisters dresses and vacuum
Mary Poppins (1964) - Traveling dress
Once Upon A Time (2017) - Evil Queen and Hook
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) - Jack Sparrow and Barbossa

Featured Programs and Guests

Daily June 25- January 1	Experiment with History Learn how filmmakers and costume designers past and present use science, math and culture in their craft and character development.
Fridays only, July 1-Sept. 23, Nov. 11-25 1:00-4:00 p.m.	Clothing Studio Demonstrations The Henry Ford’s Period Clothing Studio creates hundreds of garments each year for everyday use in Greenfield Village and for Hallowe’en and Holiday Nights. On Friday afternoons this summer, watch as our talented seamstresses demonstrate their craftsmanship on storybook costumes and historic garments. Located near Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume.
Select Days July-November 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.	Crafternoons Join us once a month for our Crafternoons series. Every month we will explore a different type of fiber art or design. Watch demonstrations, meet artists, and try it out for yourself! Saturday, July 16- Embroidery Saturday, August 20 - Weaving Sunday, September 18 - Design Sunday, October 23 - Sewing Saturday, November 19 - Knitting

Disney Films at Giant Screen Experience

Disney Throwback films play at 7 p.m. on select dates July-November. A sensory-friendly version of select films will play select days, learn more.

July 8, 2022	Pirates of The Caribbean (2003)
August 13, 2022	Cinderella (2015) Open Caption (On-Screen Subtitles)
September 9, 2022	Enchanted (2007) Closed Caption
October 7, 2022	National Treasure (2004) Open Caption (On-Screen Subtitles)
October 28-29, 2022	Hocus Pocus (1993) Friday, Oct 28- Open Caption (On-Screen Subtitles) Saturday, Oct. 29- No Captions
November 11, 2022	Beauty and the Beast (2017) Closed Caption