Costume designer Marina Toybina has recently completed one of her most significant projects to date – creating the costumes for Disney’s “The Lion King” 30th anniversary celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. The live concert was filmed in May 2024 and is now available for streaming on Disney+.
Before the show, Toybina welcomed Variety into her studio in Glendale, where the atmosphere was calm yet focused. Surrounded by animal prints and fabric, Toybina and her team were hard at work preparing for the event. Despite the looming deadline, Toybina remained composed and ready to tackle the challenge ahead.
With an impressive resume that includes designing costumes for shows like “The Masked Singer” and “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” Toybina was well-equipped to take on the task of outfitting the cast of “The Lion King” anniversary concert. The event featured original voice actors from the animated film, as well as stars from the live-action adaptations, making it a star-studded affair.
To prepare for the project, Toybina immersed herself in the world of “The Lion King,” studying every iteration of the franchise and working closely with the Broadway team to ensure her designs complemented the iconic production. She meticulously researched animal prints, colors, and tribal motifs to create culturally accurate costumes that would bring the Pride Lands to life on stage.
When it came to designing the actual costumes, Toybina approached each character individually, creating style decks and mood boards to capture the essence of their personalities. She focused on using lightweight and durable materials that would allow the performers to move freely and comfortably during the show.
Toybina’s attention to detail extended to every aspect of the costumes, from hand-painted details to store-bought materials repurposed into intricate designs. Her dedication to authenticity and creativity shone through in every costume she created for the production.
As the concert came together, it was clear that Toybina had once again exceeded expectations with her stunning costume designs. With this project under her belt, Toybina now sets her sights on designing costumes for a live-action Disney movie – a challenge that she is undoubtedly well-prepared to tackle. Disney, are you ready for the next level of costume design magic from Marina Toybina?
