The film was truly a pinch-me moment for the acclaimed costume designer who brought the animated designs to life.
"I get to work on my dream job, portraying my culture, which is everything to me as a Polynesian, as a Tongan," says costumer designer Liz McGregor. "It's all my dreams come true."
The New Zealand-based costume designer was tasked with the emotional, cultural honor of bringing to life the animated world of Moana, and her village of Motunui.
"We made over 2,000 hand-painted, hand-worked, braided, woven pieces for this film," says McGregor.
Her team hand sourced every textile, every natural fiber. Every stitch, stone and shell tells a story.
"I wanted to put my culture on a pedestal and shout it to the world and say, 'Look, how amazing this is? Look how amazing we are!'" she says.
McGregor felt a special, personal connection to Moana.
"I was brought up on an island myself," McGregor explains. "I was born in Tongatapu, which is a small island in Tonga. I have my own Moana moment." "My Disney princess moment was actually creating a Polynesian princess, a Polynesian Disney princess at that."
The title role of Moana is played by 19-year-old Samoan Australian breakout star Catherine Laga'aia.
"When she first put on the costume, it fit her like a dream, " says McGregor. "It's like she was always Moana. We were all in tears, actually. It was a magical moment!"
Disney's live-action "Moana" is in theaters on July 10.
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