Costume design: Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Satine's Sparkling Diamond costume | V&A

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a spectacle of romance and cabaret, set in the heart of Paris' bohemian scene during the Belle Époque era. Bringing Baz Luhrmann's landmark film to life on stage, the production is a musical mash-up extravaganza, immersing you in a world of splendour and glory.

Join Costume Designer Catherine Zuber and Curator Harriet Reed as they take us behind the scenes, introducing the real Moulin Rouge and showgirls of the time, showing the original design sketches for Satine's dazzling diamond studded costume, and demonstrating how one vital mechanism is crucial for the piece's quick change on stage.

00:00 Catherine Zuber's design process
0:29 What is Moulin Rouge! The Musical?
00:49 Was the Moulin Rouge real?
01:05 Adapting Baz Luhrmann's film
01:23 Creating a costume for Satine – design sketches
02:17 Researching the history of showgirls
02:49 How does the costume work?
03:53 Designing costumes for theatre
04:12 Mounting and installing the costume in the Re:Imagining Musicals display

The costume is now in the V&A's collection of Theatre and Performance and can be seen as part of the Re:Imagining Musicals display until November 2023.

[Emma_bliss]

I just took my fashion- obsessed daughter to see the show last week. We had the best time. I cannot wait to show her this video.

[keelyclevenger]

Everything is jaw-droppingly gorgeous!
The actress must have felt amazing in that beautiful costume.
Those boots!
The feathers!
The costume with all the crystals!
The way in which it is held together and taken off!
Her gloves!
The under costume alone with her jewelry, the top hat, the way you have her on the swing like she is entering the stage.
Just magical!

[Rhaifha]

I love these kinds of deep dives into costumes! Could you also do some about historical dresses in the collection? I'd love to see more.

[katreeillustration]

Another fantastic insight video, the way my jaw literally dropped at the reveal of how the bodice piece comes off-genius !

[mcwjes]

I just saw this musical! I loved it so much! The costumes are perfection!

[alvinlebass]

Absolutely Incredible....It's such an honor to be a part of

[princesslisamarie]

I just love how Satine is not stick thin! She's gorgeous!!

[elainazimmerman]

I remember when I say that costume on stage and the way it sparkles I was so amazed by it this was my reaction 😲

[cyberqueen]

Humans can create the most beautiful things! Absolutely magnificent - love it!

[MultiCrackerjacker]

My absolute favourite musical. I cry every time.

[MDeLorien]

Hand Beading and adding crystals to my creations are my favorit part

[SerenityVonSavage]

One of the few things I miss about London is going to the V&A for the costume and historical fashion section.

[psychicx]

Just went today to the musical in Perth australia
Amazing looked everything the music costumes the stage set, all the die for!

[jeniallenby]

thank you for this it was such fun to watch ... its always wonderful to have the budget in a museum for bespoke mannequins ...

[jcwt_pdx]

Beautiful 😍
However, I had a similar idea once, but a few of my classmates thought I was “reinforcing the Dragon Lady stereotype”, just because I wanted to feature women of Japanese nativity and/or ancestry into my artistic idea, and of course it was inspired by Moulin Rouge. It was to be Lady Nikkei Marmalade.

[RealAngelOfMusic]

Such a breathtaking costume, as a fashion student who loves musicals this is my favorite thing!!! Do you perhaps have anything from Phantom of the Opera?

[snowfall]

Actually really glad they redesigned her "Sparkling Diamond" costume because I was NOT feeling the red gown. It wasn't very wow or fitting with the expectation of Satine's character. I would have loved to see it during the Shut up and Dance number, but I like the pink evening gown more.

[FortheLoveofMonsters]

what do you call the quick release corset threader?

[hummersd]

Why didn't you show how the costume comes apart with the magic wand?

[AmyB]

Pretty but it’s giving me Vegas showgirl more than can can