In an interview with the Daily Mail, Cinderella costume designer Sandy Powell revealed some fascinating secrets about that epic gown. Like...
There are eight versions of the dress, and they're all different. "One was 2 inches shorter and a couple were 4 inches for the times when Lily had to run; another had holes cut in the sides of the skirt for harness work." It took 4,000 hours to make all eight versions.
Director Kenneth Branagh said that Lily ate soup in the dress so she didn't go daft. We believe that's English for "going slightly insane from lack of food"?
Lily James said she wasn't photoshopped and that she was squeezed in within an inch of her life. She added that the bigness of the skirt made her waist appear smaller.
Helena Bonham-Carter, who played Cinderella's fairy godmother, gave Lily advice on getting into the dress; telling her to breathe out when she's putting it on so her waist would be as tiny as possible.
The top layer of the gown is silk crepeline, a very lightweight, fine silk. The layers underneath are made up of a synthetic called yumissima, an incredibly light (and very expensive!) material which floats when thrown in the air.
If Lily had to go to the bathroom with the dress on, they gave her a mini camping portable potty to slip under her dress.
The designers aren't allowed to say how much it cost to make the dresses but estimates put it at about $12,000 each.
The corset and the crinoline (skirt cage) are made out of steel.
The trickiest thing Lily had to do in the dress was dance with the prince; he kept tripping on it. (Which, duh.)
There is three miles of thread in the hems and 250 meters of fabric in each dress.
It took Lily 20 minutes to get the dress on. Which is surprisingly less time than we would've imagined considering everything involved...
You should also check out:
14 Times Lily James Was Cinderella in Real Life
Lily James Responds to Those Waist-Shrinking Rumors from 'Cinderella'
10 Times Celebrities Channeled Disney Princesses on the Red Carpet
-
Why King Charles Likes "Block Heels""It gets a bit harder to walk in heels as you get older."
-
Princess Charlotte's Secret Tribute to Beloved RelativeThe precious brooch was a special gift from an important person in Charlotte's life.
-
King Charles Views Kate as a "Huge Asset""It bodes well for the future."
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Enlists Zebra Pants and The Row Flip-Flops to Continue Her Rich Euro SummerNext stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats for Double Date Night in New YorkThe controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Fashion's Embroidery Renaissance Is Stitching Fresh Life Into a Centuries-Old Art FormTracing the gilded thread from ancient Egypt and Tudor courts to the Spring ’25 runways.
-
Pucci Prints Are Back—And the Best Ones Are Already in Your Mom’s ClosetThe best ones are already in your mom's closet.
-
26 New J.Crew Arrivals I Predict Everyone Will Be Wearing on Their Summer VacationsConsider my dream vacation wardrobe sorted.
-
The Secret to My Anti-Basic Summer Outfits? These Elevated Neckline Tops From H&M and Zara28 under-$50 picks from H&M and Zara to instantly upgrade your look.
-
Miley Cyrus's Naked Schiaparelli Net Dress Is Dripping With Crystal Water DropsThe singer plucked the nude haute couture outfit straight from the runway.
-
Jennifer Lawrence Doubles Up on Controversial Summer Trends in Jorts and The Row Flip-FlopsShe also played into 2025's sardine fashion trend in an unexpected way.
