Tall Girl 2
Performance Builds & Character Evolution: From Insecurity to Owning the Stage
Tall Girl 2: Junior Year | Netflix / Wonderland | Feature Film | Costume Designer | 2021 Teen Ensemble, Performance Builds, Youthful Contemporary
The Challenge
Designing for a character overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to own her height—both in everyday life and as the lead in her school's production of Bye Bye Birdie. The project required two parallel costume narratives: Jodi's contemporary wardrobe evolution reflecting her growing confidence, and fully realized musical theater performance builds that could support choreography and dance while honoring the 1960s aesthetic of the source material.
THE CONCEPT
Visually communicate growth through a wardrobe that feels romantic and aspirational, while honoring the original film.
The Approach
The research came first—studying the original Tall Girl to understand each character's visual language, then pushing their wardrobes forward to reflect where they are now. The musical sequence required a different approach: I dove into the 1963 Bye Bye Birdie film, pulled what worked, and adapted it for a modern high school production. All of this happened in constant collaboration with production design and the DP to ensure cohesion.
The "How"
Honored the original film while advancing Jodi’s growing confidence through subtle shifts in silhouette and styling.
Visual Language & Color:
The yellow and blue color palette was established in the original film, providing continuity for Jodi's character. In the sequel, we elevated this existing palette—refining the execution, sophistication, and styling while maintaining the visual identity audiences already connected with. Each character maintained their own distinct palette within this framework, creating visual cohesion across the ensemble.
The Result
A clear evolution from the first film. Cohesive color palettes, elevated but achievable wardrobes, and design choices that made each frame feel vibrant and intentional.
Credits:
Costume Designer: Ayanna James Kimani
Director: Emily Ting
Studio: Wonderland Sound & Vision / Netflix
The Budding Fashion Designer:
Frieda's character was a budding fashion designer, which required that all of her looks be custom-made and customized to reflect her creative identity. Each piece needed to feel like something Frieda herself would have designed and constructed, showing her aesthetic evolution and creative voice. The builds ranged from reworked vintage pieces to fully constructed original designs, all reflecting a young designer finding her signature style.
Performance Builds:
Designed and constructed three main performance costumes for the two leads in the Bye Bye Birdie production, plus full ensemble wardrobes for background performers. The builds required:
Ballroom and performance construction techniques to withstand choreography and dance sequences
Period-appropriate 1960s silhouettes adapted for contemporary performers
Fabrics that moved well under stage lighting and camera
Construction that allowed full range of motion for dance numbers
Authentic musical theater aesthetic that translated to film
The performance costumes needed to feel like a real high school production—polished enough to be impressive, but not so perfect they felt professional. This balance required strategic fabric choices and construction details that suggested student-made quality.
The Outcome
Delivered a wardrobe that honored character continuity from the first film while showing visible growth. Jodi's costume evolution became a visual metaphor for self-acceptance. The elevated execution of her established color palette demonstrated sophistication and refinement while maintaining the character's authentic voice. Frieda's entirely custom-made wardrobe established her as a creative force and demonstrated the depth of character-driven design thinking required for the project. Her looks were a young designer's portfolio brought to life and it get's her her first client. The Bye Bye Birdie performance builds successfully balanced high school authenticity with Netflix's elevated aesthetic, supporting the story's emotional climax where Jodi finally owns her presence onstage and in life. The film's cohesive visual language created a world that felt both contemporary and timeless, supporting the universal themes of self-acceptance and finding your voice.