Rita Huls, a 10-year-old girl from Georgia who is receiving treatment for a cancerous tumor, recently designed her own “Cinderella” dress during a trip to Walt Disney World Resort made possible by Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Her visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of “Cinderella.” Huls also got the chance to meet her favorite characters, including Cinderella, Prince Charming, and Cinderella’s stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella.
During her Wish Trip, Huls toured Disney World’s costuming department, where she saw firsthand how costumes are designed and created.
She explored the sewing floor, patterning tables, and the cut floor, guided by Abbey Parodi, a Disney World costume development manager.
Parodi says the little girl was excited to see the department’s massive thread wall and learn about the steps involved in costume creation.
Working with Disney designers, Huls was able to bring her vision to life, selecting pink and purple fabrics with sequined accents for a shimmering effect.
She layered different fabrics, experimented with colors, and finalized details on a tablet. Disney’s designers then completed the dress, named “Rita’s Rose Diamond Dress,” and shipped it to her.
Reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime experience, Huls shares that she “had a blast” visiting the “top-secret fashion place at Disney” and loved seeing how costumes are made.