The Reimagining of “The Lion King”: Marina Toybina’s Costume Design Journey
Costume designer Marina Toybina has accomplished one of the most significant feats of her career — crafting costumes for Disney’s “The Lion King” 30th anniversary celebration at the Hollywood Bowl . This live concert was recorded in May 2024 and is currently available for streaming on Disney+.
When Toybina welcomed Variety into her Glendale studio just a week before the event, the atmosphere was surprisingly tranquil. Surrounded by animal prints and a myriad of fabrics, her team of cutters and assistants was engrossed in meticulously crafting costumes. “I haven’t tapped into my principals yet…that’ll start on Friday,” she expressed, projecting a calm demeanor despite the looming deadline.
One may wonder how she manages to accomplish such intricate work under pressure. SPOILER ALERT! She does indeed pull it off with apparent ease.
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Toybina, who has previously worked on “The Masked Singer” and “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” thrives in high-pressure situations and relishes challenging projects. The 30th anniversary of “The Lion King” showcased an immersive concert experience that celebrated the franchise’s transition from the 1994 animated film to the Tony Award-winning musical and the live-action adaptations in 2019 and 2024. Notable cast members included original animated film alumni Jeremy Irons and Nathan Lane, alongside Jennifer Hudson , Heather Headley , and even North West . With 10 principal cast members and 30 dancers, this project marked one of Toybina’s most extensive undertakings.
Before taking on the task, Toybina had seen every iteration of the “Lion King” franchise, including episodic TV series. To ensure the designs were suitable for the stage, she collaborated closely with the Broadway team. “I wanted the principals to pop against the background projections and not overstep what had been laid out in the Broadway production,” she explained. Toybina emphasized the importance of not merely mimicking existing designs but rather supporting them with her unique vision.
In her research, Toybina dedicated countless hours to examining photographs of the animals that inspired her designs. “From zebra ears to giraffe tails, all the colors of the animals, right down to rhino horns, we zoomed in on it all,” she chuckled, reflecting on her extensive preparation.
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Toybina paid meticulous attention to cultural authenticity, particularly when designing tribal prints. “It’s South African tribal. We needed to have the right colors and jewelry and ensure there were no crossovers,” she stated. This dedication led her to break down the costume designs by character, creating style decks and mood boards tailored for each principal cast member, including Hudson and West , who plays Young Simba. “I spent time on the board to ensure it’s her aesthetic and vibe,” she mentioned.
Choosing fabrics, prints, and colors was the next step. Toybina also accounted for rapid costume changes by designing functional pieces, like capes that transformed hyenas into wildebeests. “I have three hyenas. They wear masks for a while, then throw on capes and become wildebeests,” she clarified.
Characters representing the Pride Lands, including rhinos, zebras, and elephants, came alive through her vision. Many designs began with bodysuits as the foundation, enhanced with unique elements like airbrushed stencils or hand-painted details. “Everything is lightweight and danceable, with the durability to perform,” she ensured, prioritizing comfort for the dancers.
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Not all components were custom-made—some were sourced from stores. “At one point, we were at Joann’s buying weave baskets to cut out,” she recounted, humorously detailing how these baskets were incorporated into the elephants’ costumes.
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Having successfully designed costumes for both “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King” , Toybina expresses her aspiration to design costumes for a live-action Disney movie in the future. “Your move, Disney,” she concludes, leaving fans curious about what’s next on her artistic journey.