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Creating the Slytherin Costume Display for the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Updated: Sep 24, 2020

Costume Display for the Celebration of Slytherin

Bringing Slytherin House to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, LOLO Creative has been instrumental in portraying one of the most iconic wizarding families in the 2020 costume display.

Slytherin Costume Display

Showcasing the Malfoy Family

Alongside the awesome props, including the entrance to the Great Hall being decked in the distinctive green banners, and the Slytherin Common Room being dramatically brought to life, the costume display created by LOLO Creative brings you face to face with the infamous Malfoy family. Featuring costumes from across all the films, from a young Draco standing petulantly in the common room as seen in ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’ (or ‘The Sorcerer’s Stone’ for the US audience), right through to the same character now standing tall, yet dishevelled and distressed, next to his mother Narcissa and father Lucius after the Battle of Hogwarts from ‘The Deathly Hallows pt 2’.

Expertly positioned throughout the Studio Tour, the costume display areas stand on specially made platforms, the skin of a giant basilisk wrapping around the plinths, with green lighting adding an aura of darkness.

The 3 iterations of Tom Riddle Costume Display

Tom Riddle's Debut

For the first time, we are shown three iterations of Tom Riddle, the boy who became Voldemort, on display. From the confused orphan taken in by Dumbledore to the flashback scenes of the adolescent, keen on exploring the Dark Arts and the now infamous Horcrux conversation with Professor Slughorn.

Behind the Scenes: Our Founder Laurent Guinci Gives His View


Q: How did the Celebration of Slytherin come about?

A: "We were given a brief to showcase Slytherin House, and immediately we thought of the most famous Slytherin character, Draco Malfoy. Expanding this idea to the wider Malfoy family, we wanted to portray this central figure of the movies as seen throughout the films, from youngster to adult and father. Separate placements throughout the Tour helps to acknowledge how he and his family developed with each storyline, whilst maintaining their distinctive costume and style."


Q: What was the biggest challenge putting the exhibition together?

A: "Creating costume displays such as these required a lot of preparation and expertise behind the scenes. Bespoke mannequins had to be made to measure, as using real costumes mean the mannequin has to fit the garments, and not the other way round. Slim waists and arms such as Narcissa and Astoria proved a specific challenge, and the height changes with Draco growing up was especially notable when ordering and dressing.


Draco, Astoria and Scorpius at King's Cross Costume Display

Q: Is there an element you were particularly proud of? 

A: Positioning of the costume displays is an often forgotten part of a successful feature. Placing Draco, Astoria and Scorpius anywhere but the King’s Cross platform would not make sense, but also how the mannequins interact with each other is just as important. Fully articulated mannequins are therefore required to bring the costumes to life and adds an intangible context to the display itself.


Don’t miss any of the costume displays on your next visit, the Celebration of Slytherin is currently running until winter 2020.


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