Feb

Hannah Montana – Fashion Icon in the Making?

Posted by Brook at 6:18 pm

Hanna Montana - Miley Cyrus perform! If, like me, you have daughters who fit into the “tween” age category, you’re no doubt familiar with actress/singer Miley Cyrus and her alter ego, the blonde-wigged pop star character Hannah Montana; both are insanely popular, incredibly talented, and absolutely qualify for good role model status (permanently, I hope!).

With all the reviews buzzing around the new 3D feature Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus – Best of Both Worlds Concert, I figured: Let’s be honest here. You can read lots of reviews that focus on choreography, question lip-synching, and use words like “vanilla” and “bubblegum,” or you can come to Beauty Chat and analyze what’s really important – the costumes!

From a sequined and striped top with detachable long sleeves, to a prep school plaid skirt and tube socks, to a stripped-down hoodie/jeans/barefoot look for her acoustic set, Hannah/Miley breezed through the changes brilliantly. Each outfit seemed to perfectly capture the essence of the moment.

So, who better to dish on this fabulousness than the stylist responsible for it all, Dahlia Foroutan? This talented designer took the time to answer a few questions from me – regarding the budding fashion icon that is Hannah Montana. Fashion icon in the making?

Brook: Dahlia, what was your role in choosing the costuming for the tour and movie?

Dahlia: I did all of the Miley/Hannah costumes… and some of the dancers costumes… but there was another designer, Catherine Wagner, who did a great deal of the dancers’ costumes as well. My assistant, Tiffany Feller, works with me on the Hannah Montana TV show and was Miley’s official dresser on the road (you can see her hard at work in the movie), and Jill Focke was head of wardrobe on the road. Miley herself absolutely contributed, as did her mom, Tish – the three of us collaborated on a lot of ideas.

B: What were the inspirations for some of the outfits featured onstage?

D: We knew from the beginning that it had to be completely blinged out. Almost every single outfit has Swarovski crystals. We wanted to keep the look colorful and fun, though. Near the beginning, she wears a pink dress that has a real hippie vibe, and for (the ballad “I Miss You”), it had to be no blitz, no costume, as simple as possible. And that’s also part of her personal style.

B: What are some of the considerations you take when outfitting the same person two different ways; first as a character, then as herself?

D: The Hannah character is more established and appeals to younger girls, so the look is more sparkle, more Disney…but when she comes out as Miley, that’s really her – so, we wanted it more subtle and mature, more real street clothes. The plaid skirt is something that fans are used to seeing her in, so she has three versions of that outfit, in pink, red, and purple, and they all have Swarovski crystals as well.

B: Could Miley become a fashion icon as she grows older?

D: Absolutely. She has a really great sense of style, she loves clothes…I’m actually watching her become more fashion forward as she gets older, which of course is what happens at that age…but she can really wear almost anything and look good in it.

B: I absolutely agree! We love her.

D: We love her too.

Photo Credits: My own collage of fabulous photos found on various sites!

Comments (11)

11 Comments »

terri

February 11, 2008 at 11:04 pm

I’m so happy to see such a positive role model as Miley Cyrus receiving all of this media attention, for once.
Her costuming on both the TV show and in the movie
are so cute. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her evolve into even more of a fashion trendsetter as she matures.
Fun interview!
Leeann

February 12, 2008 at 9:51 am

Awesome interview Brook! What a cool job that would be, to dress a pop star?!

I think Miley/Hannah is adorable and I hope she can keep up the wholesomeness that she portrays!
Denice Castillo

February 12, 2008 at 10:15 am

I love this girl. She is an inspiration to the youth of america. It is so nice to have girls like her rather than some others we will not mention!
Dawnette

February 12, 2008 at 10:16 am

Great interview, Great article! It’s so refreshing to see a well rounded fashion blog like this. I have a young daughter heading all too fast to the “tween” category and like having another Mom’s “clued in” perspective – THANKS!!!
Alisa

February 12, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Great interview! It is nice to hear that Miley is active in the fashion choices. Young girls needed a positive role model, especially these days, and they have a great one in Miley.
Patty Redden

February 12, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Well written article. For the most part, I agree she is a good role model, although I wish the kids didn’t get into such a frenzy about stars. After all, they are part of the human race, just like the rest of us. (A concept which is difficult for little ones to understand). And I do wish she would have skipped the ever so brief, but provocative dance move in her 3-D movie. Darn. Lots of little girls (younger than tweens) adore her, and that is something they can do without. In addition, I hope the TV show doesn’t involve anymore boy crazy story lines. Thanks for listening.
Brook

February 12, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Thanks for reading and leaving your comments, everyone! It’s nice to hear from others who feel as I do.
Jerry

February 21, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Congadulations to Dahlia for a superb job in choice of costums for both Hanna and Milley. She has presented both stars in outfits that pronounce and complement the charachter of each personality.

Dahlia’s artistic talent is obvious in the choice of right costums for fictional as well as real personalities.
sinead

August 8, 2008 at 6:26 am

hannah you are so toatly cool i want to be a star like you
lindsy power

September 29, 2008 at 5:26 pm

i love your music it is so awsome my mom said that on my birthday i an going to go to your concert my birthday is otober 27 but i am going to have it on the 25 but not the 27 i hope i get to meet you on my birthday bye i got to go
xavier

March 25, 2009 at 6:39 pm

i love you hannah montana

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Hannah Montana – Fashion Icon in the Making?

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