Disney’s Newest Princess Will Wear a Beautiful Red Gown

Disney is introducing its first Latina princess, named Elena of Avalor, and she’ll be wearing a really great — and groundbreaking — gown.

The cartoon series Elena of Avalor, which debuts on the Disney Channel in July, will focus on the young royal’s journey to get her family’s kingdom back from an evil sorceress. Elena will do all of this, in addition to preparing to take the throne as queen, while wearing a red dress with a nipped waist and full skirt. The piece, designed by Layana Aguilar, will also feature a print, a first for the Disney brand.

Aguilar landed the job as an animation costume designer through Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn, who voices a character on Disney Junior’s Sofia the First. Aguilar, who appeared on the 11th season of the hit fashion competition, fittingly drew on her South American heritage for the project. “The feeling to it is very Peruvian, Inca-like,” she told WWD. “When they first showed me Princess Elena and I read a little bit about that story, it took me back to that memory. “

The rendering of the dress will also be translated into a real-life look that will be seen on an actress at Walt Disney World Resort starting this summer.

“This experience opened my mind to other experiences you can have as a fashion designer. We’re often so caught up in designing lines and doing trade shows. At the end of the day, you get so much more money and exposure from collaborations with major brands,” she said. “This is a dream come true. I really wanted it to be something that has to do with my upbringing.”

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.