During the ten years of filming, more than 25,000 unique items of clothing were created for the Harry Potter film series. Starting with over 600 Hogwarts school robes, including those worn by a young Daniel Radcliffe, and developing into sophisticated character costumes such as Hermione’s stunning Yule Ball Gown, Gilderoy Lockhart’s flamboyant teaching attire and Professor Slughorn’s lavish lilac pyjamas.
From initial sketches to the finished costume, this special feature will take visitors on a journey through the behind-the-scenes process that brought our favourite characters to life. Many of the authentic ‘hero’ costumes are displayed at the Studio Tour including those worn on screen by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley throughout their years at Hogwarts. Joining those on display for the first time will be a selection of outfits designed especially for glamourous Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter. Inspired by 1940s Hollywood gossip columnists, Costume Designer Jany Temime was careful to always match Rita’s ensemble to the story she was reporting such as the patterned leather suit worn to mirror the scales of the dragons used in the first Triwizard Tournament task. Other new costumes on show will include those belonging to Hogwarts professors Lupin, Umbridge and Lockhart.
The costume of Albus Dumbledore is testimony to the hours of meticulous planning that goes into creating a costume for a beloved and respected character. This process will be demonstrated in a new display showing the evolution from the first cuts of fabric through to the final costume that ultimately becomes an extension of both the character and the actor. Torn and singed, one of the three costumes on display will show the damage inflicted during Dumbledore’s epic battle against Voldemort at the Ministry of Magic. As visitors make their way through the tour, they will be invited to step into the role of a Costume Designer and try their hand at the art of costume distressing, discovering how new clothes were made to look centuries old or battle-torn with the help of paint, mud and wire brushes.
Hundreds of intricate and unique wizard hats were created for Harry’s first trip to Diagon Alley, for the first time these hats will be on display at the Studio Tour. Visitors will also learn how the iconic Beauxbatons hats were carefully designed, moulded and finished by the renowned milliner, Philip Treacy. Known for creating beautiful and bold hats for celebrities and royalty, Treacy was asked to design the hat that would complete the uniform of the French wizarding school, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The final design from the film series was inspired by a pointed “wizarding” version of a trilby.
There will also be the opportunity for a visitor to step inside Professor Slughorn’s armchair suit in an all-new demonstration of the unforgettable practical effect used during filming. Used as a disguise to evade capture by Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, actor Jim Broadbent would have to sit on a specially-created rig with his arms out to mimic the shape of an armchair. Enhanced with Visual Effects the final scene shows Professor Slughorn shake himself out of his armchair form into a lilac-striped pyjama suit of the same material.
Alongside the Costume Department, the Hair & Make-up Departments were responsible for creating the visual identity of beloved characters through the use of wigs and prosthetics. An all-new Hair and Make-up display featuring artists Amanda Knight and Lisa Tomblin will show the skills of the team who applied Harry Potter’s iconic lightning bolt scar almost 6,000 times during filming. The feature will show exclusive footage illustrating the processes used to create the look of both Bellatrix Lestrange’s pointed teeth and the wounds of Muggle Studies teacher, Charity Burbage.
Wizarding Wardrobes will take place from Friday 21st July – Monday 4th September at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
