The Slumber Party
Disney+ / Jax Media | Feature Film | Costume Designer | 2022 | Teen Ensemble, YA, Contemporary action
The Slumber Party Character-Driven Ensemble & Action-Friendly Construction
The Challenge
The Slumber Party centers on a group of middle-school girls experiencing one emotionally charged, fast-moving night. The challenge was to create a wardrobe that felt immediately relatable to kids, emotionally honest, and visually cohesive—while supporting a story with constant action, multiple locations, and frequent costume changes.
The costumes needed to track continuity across events, reflect shifts in tone and energy, and remain age-appropriate and believable. At the same time, the wardrobe had to feel current without leaning into fleeting trends that might date the film.
THE CONCEPT
Crafting authentic character identities that feel lived-in and emotionally grounded.
The Approach
The design approach was character-first and story-driven. Each character was developed with her own distinct color palette, informed by personality, cultural background, and contemporary teen style. Cultural influences were treated as modern, wearable accents—layered into the costumes in a way that felt authentic, current, and reflective of how teenagers actually express identity.
The overall visual language drew from 90s nostalgia and graphic-driven teen fashion, grounding the wardrobe in recognizable trends while allowing individuality to emerge through color, texture, and personal styling choices. This ensured each character felt distinct while still belonging to the same shared world.
The "How"
Costumes were built to function narratively and logistically. Because the story involved significant physical action and evolving circumstances, multiple versions of key outfits were designed and tracked to support continuity, movement, and emotional progression.
Visual Language & Color:
Close collaboration with the director, production design, and hair and makeup ensured alignment in tone and palette. Fittings were treated as creative conversations, prioritizing comfort and authenticity so the performers could move naturally and confidently on screen.
The Outcome
The final selected wardrobe felt authentic to the characters and their age group, supporting emotional storytelling without visual noise. By balancing contemporary trend awareness with longevity, the costumes enhanced the narrative while allowing performances to remain front and center.
Most importantly, the wardrobe helped young audiences relate to both the characters and their circumstances, reinforcing the emotional accessibility of the story. The Slumber Party demonstrates how thoughtful, character-first costume design can elevate youth-centered storytelling.