La Cenerentola (Cinderella) costumes on exclusive loan from Opera Queensland
On display on Podium Level 1 from 6 May to 1 June 2025 are eight enchanting costumes from Opera Queensland’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) production.
These gorgeous gowns are on exclusive loan from Opera Queensland’s beautiful production of Le Cenerentola and include pieces like an extravagant cape adorned with hundreds of hand-sewn flowers, an Alexander McQueen floral suit worn by Timothee Chalamet, Cinderella’s glittering ball gown and more magical costumes worn by the iconic characters.
Explore a mix of flora, pastels and a touch of shimmering beauty in the costumes that bring the magical tale to life.
Head upstairs to Podium 2 where you will find Brisbane Quarter’s premium restaurants and dine before or after visiting the installation, to add to your cultural experience.
COSTUMES
From Opera Queensland’s production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella). Created by Karen Cochet & Bianca Bulley.
- Stepsister (Clorinda)
- Stepsister (Tisbe)
- Stepfather (Don Magnifico)
- Prince Charming (Prince Don Ramiro)
- Fairy Godfather (Alidoro)
- Cinderella’s Transition Coat (Angelina)
- Cinderella’s Servant Costume (Angelina)
- Cinderella’s Ball Gown (Angelina)
#1 Clorinda (Stepsister) | Artist: Sarah Crane
Ball Gown: A supporting foundation of stiff polyester banding creates the exaggerated hip silhouette underneath this boned fitted dress. This unique under-structure provides a light and flexible base costume that allows the artist to perform all the sitting, physical comedy and gestural movements required in the performance. The giant flower corset dress was constructed in a similar way, using lightweight materials combined with plastic boning to support the weight of the giant wired petals and smaller flowers sewn to the underside.
#2 Tisbe (Stepsister) | Artist: Hayley Sugars
Ball Gown: As for Clorinda, there is an exaggerated hip structure with a satin duchesse, fitted and boned sheath, laced at the back from top to bottom. The coat was inspired by the original 1930s Schiapparelli rose, and has over 140 individually hand-made, air-brushed roses. Each rose was constructed by folding and twisting the fabric, which was then painted and sewn on to the duchesse satin coat.
#3 Don Magnifico (Stepfather) | Artist: James Roser
Ball Outfit – Flower Suit with Floral Coat: Featuring an iconic graphic floral-printed Alexander McQueen Fall 2018 suit and a cape of giant handmade roses, this Don Magnifico Ball Outfit was designed to highlight the extreme over-the-top personality of the Don. Each rose uses 3 different coloured fabrics on three different sized petals to create a tonal depth within the flowers.
#4 Don Ramiro (Prince Charming) | Artist: Petr Nekoranec
Ball Outfit – Prince Suit : Like all the people in the world of this version of La Cenerentola the Prince has various flowers embroidered to, and naturally sprouting from, his clothing. In this story the natural world entwines closely with that of its people and Don Ramiro’s status as a Prince is reflected in flowers of gold and silver. The prince’s suit jacket is made with a cream wool lurex so you may see a slight sparkle in the wool fabric as you walk around it.
#5 Alidoro (Fairy Godfather) | Artist: Shaun Brown
Ball Outfit – Purple Suit: The purple silk embroidered fabric in this outfit was flown in from London to our costume studio where our costume designers worked closely with Sam Abi and the URBANNA (OQ Supporting Partners) tailors to create a magically floral, modern twist on a suit for Alidoro – this version of Cinderella’s ‘fairy godmother’.
#6 Angelina (Cinderella) | Artist: Mara Gaudenzi
Transition Coat: Silk reproduction fabric, quilted in an intricate design has been made into an oversized coat with shawl collar, pagoda sleeves and flower appliqué. Many of the flowers were hand-made in organza. It has a pink and gold floral lining and was made to help Angelina transition from servant to ball in a quick-change on stage.
#7 Angelina (Cinderella) | Artist: Mara Gaudenzi
Servant Costume: A fully boned period corset and multi-coloured circular layered tulle (around 60 metres used) and crin petticoat form the base and silhouette of this costume. Worn over these undergarments is a broken-down art finished silk brocade dress, with silk ribbon organza blouse. The final touch is the air-brushed muslin apron, aged with permanganate, and consisting of rectangular pieces appliqued onto the base in ragged layers.
#8 Angelina (Cinderella) | Artist: Mara Gaudenzi
Ball Gown: To make this gown appear as lightweight and magical as possible, four layers of transparent fabric have been used. The base layer is a boned bodice attached to a crinoline petticoat, cut into a double circle and reinforced with bands of crinoline and piping. The next layer is a pale pink organza, semi-transparent, which allows a peep into the detailing of the petticoat. Over the top of this layer is a fine, sequined tulle, which gives a delicate, subtle sparkle underneath the final layer of embroidered silk organza.
All costumes on display are from Opera Queensland’s production of La Cenerentola.
Date: March 2025
Director: Laura Hansford
Designers: Bianca Bulley and Karen Cochet
STAYCATION GIVEAWAY
In celebration of La Cenerentola costumes at Brisbane Quarter, we are giving away a Staycation at W Brisbane with complimentary breakfast and valet parking complete with a Double Pass to the opera. All you have to do is SIGN UP to the Brisbane Quarter App via the App Store or Google Play between 6 May and 1 June to be in the draw.
Full terms and conditions can be viewed here.