What inspired my design for Rafiki were African mages, African designs, the Lion King musical, film, and the species of mandrill. In Act one, scene one all eyes are on Rafiki. I designed his costume to attract attention from the audience with the bright and colorful African prints as the audience is introduced to the characters on pride rock during the circle of life. I wanted to give each character a symbol, a symbol that carries a major trait of their character which is a part of themselves. I researched African Symbols. On Rafiki’s belt you will see the African Symbol for Wisdom. Throughout Rafiki’s character journey, he offers guidance and wisdom to most of the characters in this musical. African mages traditionally wear robes. I wanted Rafiki’s character to reflect the African culture and traditions. Rafiki’s mask is a Resin Cast mask. This material will give the look of wood but is very lightweight and durable. It is hand painted in bright colors.
Rafiki
Mufasa
What inspired my design for Mufasa were African warriors. I wanted to portray Mufasa as strong because he is the King of all the land. When you think of a King, you think of a regal, magnificent, and superior figure and that is why I created him with all these animal designs, fabrics, furs, feathers and a glorious cape. A Lion is a hunter, and his costume symbolizes his strength. I wanted to bring African culture into his costume and stay true to where the story takes place. Therefore, I brought in the African warrior tattoo and the straps on his arms, legs, and ankles. He has an African Symbol for Strength on his belt. When you see him in the circle of life on Pride Rock, I wanted everyone to see this character and see him as a true King, all powerful, who at the same time is kind and respects the circle of life. Mufasa’s mask is also a Resin Cast mask. It is painted in oranges, yellows, and browns.
Scar
What inspired my design for Scar were African princes, African Kings, and the bones and carcasses of animals. In the musical and in the film, you see him, and the hyenas surrounded by utter mountains of bones from all sorts of animals. It gave me an idea to give him a costume that has the look of a scary, creepy, intelligent, oppressive figure that will stop at nothing to gain power. I wanted him to have a different look from all the other lions because most of his life he has been shunned, rejected, and denied. He’s not strong, he’s not fast, he is not superior as a lion. The only quality he has is intelligence, so I wanted his costume to illustrate to the audience his devious nature. When he declares himself King, I wanted the cape to be a symbol of his authority. Scar’s African symbol that I chose to use was jealousy. I chose jealousy because throughout the musical he is very jealous of his brother Mufasa. He sees his brother as having everything and that he has none of it. He wants everything his brother has. He wants power, respect, the throne. He wants to be adored and loved and feared. As a character he is willing to do anything to get it and I wanted the significant number of bones to show how he does not respect the circle of life.
Nala
What inspired me for Nala were African female warriors. When you look at Nala in the musical you do not necessarily see her as princess or a queen. You see her as a character who is willing to do anything to fight for her home. She is a character who has hope inside of her that the pride can rebuild what they have lost. I wanted the costume to reflect her hope, love, and strength. I gave Nala an African symbol of love on her belt because the love her and Simba found for each other restored Pride Rock. I was inspired by how their love brought peace and restoration to their home. I added jewelry on Nala because African female warriors also wore jewelry and I wanted to give jewelry as a symbol of her womanhood and fierceness. I used African prints and trims on her costume that contains blue and golds. Blue means love, harmony, togetherness, and peace. Gold symbolizes royalty, spirituality, and fertility.
Simba
What inspired me most for Simba was nature. Simba is not like my other designs for a reason. Simba has been in a jungle paradise for most of his life. He does not hunt animals. I wanted his costume to reflect his life in the jungle. That is why I added leaf patterns and ropes so he could have different look from the other lions who are hunters and warriors. His costume reflects the life he has left behind but at the same time I wanted to give him some elements that would remind the audience that he is still Mufasa’s son like the tattoos I created and his lion resin mask and mane color. I gave Simba the African symbol of freedom on his belt to foreshadow what is to come because in the end Simba frees his fellow lions from the tyranny of Scar.
