Mouse Clubhouse - interview with Disney costume designer Alyja Kalinich about the shows and parades she worked on

from 2008
ALYJA KALINICH
talks about her work on shows and parades

by Scott Wolf

WARNING: To keep the magic, please use discretion
when reading this with young children.

Below are images of some of Alyja's work. I brought along some Tokyo Disney Resort DVDs when we got together since a number of the shows and parades featured in these DVDs depict many of the costumes and overdressings that Alyja designed.

Alyja Kalinich: I designed all of the costumes for Theatre Orleans.
Scott Wolf: Did you just do an overdressing for Sebastian for this show?
AK: I actually did art direct the first walk about Sebastian, as well as Ariel, Flounder and Ursula, and yes, for Theatre Orleans, I just designed Sebastian’s overdressing.

Alyja art directed all of the "Aladdin" characters for the parks.

Alyja's first project for Tokyo Disneyland, "Viva Magic" (1989)

AK: These are the same brooms as in ("Magical World of Disney" at) Radio City show (see interview).
I did them a bit differently for this show, tweaking them a little so they could move faster

Alyja designed all the wonderful 50s "overdressings" for this 1950s-themed show,
from Minnie's poodle skirt to Dale's slicked hair.

SW: How did you come up with this idea for filmstrips in "Disney on Parade"?
AK: The show director's idea for the first unit in the parade was to introduce Disney's very first film ventures. Film reels were represented on the floats, so I thought why not carry them over into the costumes? Voila! Dancing film reels girls!

These characters are from the Silly Symphony "Flowers and Trees."

SW: That’s a little bit of a different dress for Snow White.
Did you design it just for this parade only?
AK: Yes. They are called "special regular” costumes.

SW: These are the "Swamp Boys" from "Splash Mountain!"
Who decided to use these characters from the attraction?
AK: I was asked to design an alligator.
I thought it would be good to use the alligator from the actual attraction.
SW: Did you ask for photos of Splash Mountain?
AK: Yes. It was important to stay completely true to the original.
SW: I've always loved them, and I love that they
were originally designed by Marc Davis.
AK: I admired Marc Davis so much. I loved his way of drawing and his character development. He was a true genius.