Step into the enchanting world of Disney’s latest holiday extravaganza, ‘The Naughty Nine,’ and discover the magic that went into crafting its whimsical costumes. In an exclusive interview with Spencer Williams, renowned costume designer Julia Caston shares the secrets and inspirations behind the North Pole elves’ festive attire and Santa’s stylish off-day look. From unexpected challenges to creative triumphs, Caston provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the meticulous process of bringing these beloved characters to life. Get ready to unwrap the holiday joy as we delve into the artistry and imagination that shaped the costumes of ‘The Naughty Nine.’
Spencer Williams: Julia, thank you so much for joining me. I’m so excited to talk to you. I’m actually a big fan of your work. A Bad Mom’s Christmas is one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. I just had to throw that out there.
Julia Caston: Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was really fun to work on. Those ladies are my favorite.
Spencer Williams: I’m excited to discuss your work on the new Disney Channel original movie, The Naughty Nine. Let’s dive right into it. I grew up watching Disney Channel original movies in the 90s and 2000s, so I’m dying to know what it was like to design costumes for one of these movies. Can you share some insights into the process of designing costumes that not only fit the characters but also cater to their preferences as young actors? This was a cast that was primarily children.
Julia Caston: This was kind of the first time I worked with that many children. The kids were great. The project was just really whimsical and fun. I felt lucky to be involved with it. It’s all in the script so we got to meet all these kids and all their different personalities. They all had their own character niche. So I just attached myself to the nuances of what their characters were, drawing inspiration from the “Ocean’s 11” concept, where everyone plays a specific role, I delved into understanding the nuances of each child’s character.
I had the pleasure of collaborating with a team primarily comprised of individuals from Cirque du Soleil. If you’ve ever witnessed a Cirque du Soleil show, you know they excel at everything they undertake – that was our secret weapon. Whatever ideas I presented, they not only embraced but elevated to a whole new level. It was a fantastic synergy.
The creative process was incredibly fulfilling. Working with this team allowed me to craft extraordinary costumes for the kids, and witnessing their joy as they tried them on was priceless. Each child brought a unique sweetness to the project. They’re just all adorable.
Spencer Williams: You touched on it a little bit, but each of the 9 characters have their own distinct personalities. So, what little touches would you give the costumes to emphasize that personality?
Julia Caston: Creating the elf costumes was a fascinating process. In the movie, they go undercover as elves, and it was all about capturing what they envisioned as a stereotypical elf look. As we transitioned to the North Pole, the elves took on a more fashionable appearance, but still in a distinctly elven way.
Take Andy, the charismatic ringleader. I wanted him to exude coolness, so I dressed him in a hoodie and track pants, aiming for a trendy, on-trend look that you could envision on someone like George Clooney, the quintessential ring leader. Then there’s Dulce, Andy’s best friend. Despite her sweet and low-profile nature, I wanted to infuse a hint of mischief. So, I went for a playful, clown-inspired look with trendy overalls. Moving on to Jon Anthony, our tech-savvy character. I opted for a more casual style, dressing him in long board shorts. Every choice for these elves was rooted in reality, even for the daredevil character. I dressed her in a racing suit, emphasizing the thrill-seeking nature of her role.
Consistency was key—each costume featured the classic Christmas green and red hues, maintaining that stereotypical elven charm. One of my personal favorites was Clara’s costume for her role as Rose, the animal whisperer. Her coat had a touch of elegance, which I dubbed the “Russian princess” look—a fitted silhouette with woven fabric that added an earthy vibe. These subtle touches were essential to infuse each character with their unique nuances, contributing to the overall charm of the film.
Spencer Williams: There were backstories to each of these characters, which is very fun. Julia, I love a good party, especially a Christmas party. The movie features a banger of a party at the North Pole. I was pretty jealous. Tell me about your process behind putting together the scene because there were a lot of costumes.
Julia Caston: There were a lot of costumes! Managing the costumes for that particular scene was quite a journey. We initially had a different vision, and it wasn’t until about a week or two before shooting the party scene that I received notes from Disney and others, urging a change in direction. They wanted the North Pole elves to have a more uniform look. Now, when you receive such a significant pivot so close to shooting, there’s always a bit of concern about how it will turn out.
Fortunately, thanks to the incredible crew I had, we found a solution. We decided to create and make basic pieces for all the characters, designing specific tunics and pants from various fabrics. Ultimately, there were around 170 elves, and we built on top of those basic pieces to give each elf its own personality. For instance, if you closely observe, the DJ elf may have a David Bowie-inspired look. There are little Easter eggs like that throughout the scene.
It was a fun challenge to reinvent the concept of elves, making them more fashion-forward. Alberto Belli, with his background in fashion, wanted to elevate the look of this world, and I did my best to deliver what he envisioned.
Spencer Williams: It definitely felt contemporary!
Julia Caston: Exactly. Everything came together seamlessly. Towards the end of the night, we were crafting hats, jewelry, and other accessories to ensure the elves looked as good as the set itself. Stepping onto the set, surrounded by the beautiful decorations and food tables, I felt a responsibility to meet the high standard set by the other crafts involved in the production. That was my goal—to ensure the costumes matched the elevated bar set by the rest of the team.
Spencer Williams: Well, mission accomplished. That scene fully brought me into the holiday season. As we get toward the end, I about fell out of my chair when I saw Danny Glover as Santa Claus, I was not expecting that!
Julia Caston: After Christmas, there was this intriguing question about Santa’s off-day look—what does he wear when he puts his feet up? Alberto and I had extensive discussions, wanting to give Santa a sophisticated, sartorial flair. We aimed for a classic and beautiful look, crafting a red coat as a nod to his traditional Christmas suit. We hoped to convey a sense of refinement, making it a bit more fitted and tailored.
We were fortunate to work with Danny, and I wanted to infuse elegance into his portrayal of Santa. The fabrics played a crucial role, and we carefully selected materials to ensure the outfit laid perfectly and provided comfort. Danny was fantastic to collaborate with—an icon who embraced the idea and effortlessly embodied the character. He truly wore the clothes well.
Spencer Williams: Yeah, there was definitely a stylish touch, and I remember the fabrics being quite impressive especially the white.
Julia Caston: Thank you! We aimed for high-quality fabrics to ensure the outfit not only looked good but also felt comfortable. Danny was wonderful to work with; he wears clothes impeccably. We wanted to give Santa a bit of a fashion-forward and elegant update, a departure from the usual. It was a cool endeavor to modernize his look a bit, providing a fresh and refined perspective.
Spencer Williams: Julia, as we wrap up, what do you hope the audience takes away from The Naughty Nine? I genuinely enjoyed the film—it was a fantastic escape that put me in a good mood. So, what are your hopes for the audience’s experience?
Julia Caston: Since this is my first venture primarily for children, I genuinely hope the kids have a blast and experience a bit of magic. Additionally, I hope the parents find it enjoyable and that the film transcends from children to adults, spreading joy and putting everyone in a positive mood. We could all use a little joy right now in the world. That’s my main hope—to bring a bit of joy to those who watch it and offer a moment of respite in these challenging times.
Spencer Williams: Well, that was undoubtedly achieved. I had a wonderful time, and I’m sure viewers can’t help but smile, with the costumes contributing to that joy. Julia, thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Julia Caston: It was my pleasure. I appreciate the conversation. Thank you for having me.
