Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Room with hard wooden flooring and a row of platforms displaying 8 mannequins in various costumes, including weathered pants and brown jacket, a royal blue women's dress suit with red heeled shoes, a white slim feathered gown and more. Two mannequins on a platform to the rights side are wearing a pirate costume with a red velvet embroidered coat and bicorn hat and the other figure (Peter Pan) has forest green trousers boots, and a hat.

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and...

Platform with low panel in front. On the platform is a tall mannequin wearing a long and black gown with a large collar and a headdress featuring two curvy horns

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and...

Two mannequins stand with one dressed in a voluminous light silvery white gown holding a thin wand pointed at the other figure which is wearing a tattered pale pink dress.

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and...

A man and woman stand looking up at a row of 7 mannequins that are dressed in various costumes, including a frilly lavender gown, a gray velvet suit, black and red robes with an embroidered cape.

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and...

Two mannequins on plaform. The wall behind them in plae blue and decorate with clouds and the image of a light post lit with a gas flame. One figure is dress in brown striped trousers, a red vest and a tan dirty jacket. The other is dressed in a royal blue ladies' dress suit with red heeled shoes and a red hat. She is holding an umbrella with a handle carved like bird's head.

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and...

Platform with low panel in front. On the platform is a tall mannequin wearing a long and black gown with a large collar and a headdress featuring two curvy horns

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Now Open! Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and more.

Museum Hours

Open today from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

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Limited Run! May 3 - Oct. 26, 2025

*** Explore the exhibition after-hours AND see a film screening of the live-action Cinderella (2015) starring Lily James this Friday, May 16. Learn more and get tickets! ***

The South Carolina State Museum is set to host a fan-favorite blockbuster exhibition created by the Walt Disney Archives, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume. Opening May 3, 2025, the critically acclaimed showcase features 70 costumes from beloved characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent, and more, highlighting the innovative ways iconic characters are brought to life through the artistry and imagination of their costumes.

Featuring:

  • Costumes worn by the likes of Bette Davis, Glenn Close, and Angelina Jolie.
  • An exploration of how costumes evolve from concept to reality with quotes and detailed written accounts featured throughout the exhibition from some of Hollywood’s preeminent designers, including Academy Award® winners Sandy Powell and Disney Legend Colleen Atwood, as well as Emmy® winner Ellen Mirojnick and Emmy® nominees Eduardo Castro and Penny Rose.
  • “Cinderella’s Workshop,” a gallery examining how several designers have applied their own unique style and artistry to different interpretations of the fairy tale heroine—from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) and Into the Woods (2014) to the ABC hit series Once Upon a Time (TV, 2011–2018), and the 2015 live-action reimagining of Walt Disney’s animated classic starring Lily James.
  • A chance to explore the artistry on display in the iconic costumes of Disney live-action characters such as Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Queen Narissa from Enchanted (2007), and Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006).

  • And much more!

     

    Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume is curated by the Walt Disney Archives.

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Gallery capacity is limited. When purchasing tickets you will need to select the time you wish to enter the exhibition. 

Adults (Ages 13 - 61)

Includes museum general admission ($13 for adults) plus access to the Heroes & Villains blockbuster exhibition ($20 for adults).

General Public Adult $33

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Museum Member Adult $14
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Seniors (Ages 62+)

Includes museum general admission ($11 for seniors) plus access to the Heroes & Villains blockbuster exhibition ($18 for adults).

General Public Seniors $29

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Museum Member Senior $14
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Children (Ages 3 - 12)

Includes museum general admission ($10 for children) plus access to the Heroes & Villains blockbuster exhibition ($15 for children).

General Public Child $25

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Museum Member Child $10
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AUDIO GUIDE

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume offers a complimentary companion audio guide, providing deeper insight into the costumes, films, and designers featured in the exhibition. Guests can access the guide at exhibits.archives.disney.com or via QR codes placed throughout the galleries. A transcript is also available for guests with hearing impairments.

Please note: Headphones are not provided for the audio guide. Guests are encouraged to bring headphones that are compatible with their personal cell phone or listening device.

Person Playing Violin

Upcoming Events

Heroes & Villains will be open during these special programs and events.

Four boy student reach across table to add liquid from pipette to a test tube while Museum educator observes smiling
Family & Kids

Teacher Appreciation Day

The State Museum is celebrating South Carolina teachers on Sat., May 10 with FREE general admission and more.
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Family & Kids

Summer Nights at the Museum

Explore the State Museum after-hours and enjoy a special movie during this new summertime event series.
Aisle with wooden floor and a row of mannequins on raised platforms on either side. They are dressed in various costumes including a red and white Santa suit, a frilly lavender gown, a white and gold Aladdin suit.

Center aisle in the exhibition, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

Side view of mannequin wearing voluminous pale blue ball gown with small butterfly appliques across the bodice. Two women stand on the right, one in a blue and white dress and the other in black pants and patterned blouse, stand looking at the ball gown.

Cinderella costume, worn by Lily James, on display from the film Cinderella (2015) in the exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

 

Room with hard wooden flooring and a row of platforms displaying 8 mannequins in various costumes, including weathered pants and brown jacket, a royal blue women's dress suit with red heeled shoes, a white slim feathered gown and more. Two mannequins on a platform to the rights side are wearing a pirate costume with a red velvet embroidered coat and bicorn hat and the other figure (Peter Pan) has forest green trousers boots, and a hat.

Gallery in the exhibition, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

Two mannequins on plaform. The wall behind them in plae blue and decorate with clouds and the image of a light post lit with a gas flame. One figure is dress in brown striped trousers, a red vest and a tan dirty jacket. The other is dressed in a royal blue ladies' dress suit with red heeled shoes and a red hat. She is holding an umbrella with a handle carved like bird's head.

Mary Poppins and Jack costumes on display from the film Mary Poppins Returns (2018) in the exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

Platform with low panel in front. On the platform is a tall mannequin wearing a long and black gown with a large collar and a headdress featuring two curvy horns

Maleficent costume, worn by Angelina Jolie, on display from the film Maleficent (2014) in the exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

Two mannequins stand with one dressed in a voluminous light silvery white gown holding a thin wand pointed at the other figure which is wearing a tattered pale pink dress.

Fairy Godmother and Cinderella costumes on display from the film Cinderella (2015) in the exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

A man and woman stand looking up at a row of 7 mannequins that are dressed in various costumes, including a frilly lavender gown, a gray velvet suit, black and red robes with an embroidered cape.

Guests enjoying the exhibition, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by The Walt Disney Archives.

Mannequin on white background wearing light blue off the shoulder ballgown with twirling skite in light blue layers of chiffon.

Cinderella dress from the live-action Cinderella (2015), (The Walt Disney Studios), Courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives, © Disney. 

Mannequin on white background wearing red knee length coat, a tan vest and frilly white shirt

Gaston costume from the live-action Beauty and the Beast (2017), (The Walt Disney Studios), Courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives, © Disney. 

Mannequin in profile on white background with dark wig wearing Twisty and spiked metal crown and a purple and gold dress

Queen Narissa costume from Enchanted (2007), (The Walt Disney Studios), Courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives, © Disney. 

Mannequin on a white background wearing a loose and flowy green velvet dress with gold embroidered detailing and a green cape.

Winifred Sanderson costume from Hocus Pocus 2 (2022), (The Walt Disney Studios), Courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives, © Disney. 

Aisle with wooden floor and a row of mannequins on raised platforms on either side. They are dressed in various costumes including a red and white Santa suit, a frilly lavender gown, a white and gold Aladdin suit.
Side view of mannequin wearing voluminous pale blue ball gown with small butterfly appliques across the bodice. Two women stand on the right, one in a blue and white dress and the other in black pants and patterned blouse, stand looking at the ball gown.
Room with hard wooden flooring and a row of platforms displaying 8 mannequins in various costumes, including weathered pants and brown jacket, a royal blue women's dress suit with red heeled shoes, a white slim feathered gown and more. Two mannequins on a platform to the rights side are wearing a pirate costume with a red velvet embroidered coat and bicorn hat and the other figure (Peter Pan) has forest green trousers boots, and a hat.
Two mannequins on plaform. The wall behind them in plae blue and decorate with clouds and the image of a light post lit with a gas flame. One figure is dress in brown striped trousers, a red vest and a tan dirty jacket. The other is dressed in a royal blue ladies' dress suit with red heeled shoes and a red hat. She is holding an umbrella with a handle carved like bird's head.
Platform with low panel in front. On the platform is a tall mannequin wearing a long and black gown with a large collar and a headdress featuring two curvy horns
Two mannequins stand with one dressed in a voluminous light silvery white gown holding a thin wand pointed at the other figure which is wearing a tattered pale pink dress.
A man and woman stand looking up at a row of 7 mannequins that are dressed in various costumes, including a frilly lavender gown, a gray velvet suit, black and red robes with an embroidered cape.
Mannequin on white background wearing light blue off the shoulder ballgown with twirling skite in light blue layers of chiffon.
Mannequin on white background wearing red knee length coat, a tan vest and frilly white shirt
Mannequin in profile on white background with dark wig wearing Twisty and spiked metal crown and a purple and gold dress
Mannequin on a white background wearing a loose and flowy green velvet dress with gold embroidered detailing and a green cape.
A mother holding a child looks at her son standing close by as he looks up in awe at a T-Rex skull at the South Carolina State Museum.

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