From The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to The Masked Singer, noted costumier Tim Chappel has never met a sequin he didn’t love.
But it’s his current gig as head designer on Dancing with the Stars that really has the Oscar winner aglow!
“It is such a beautiful show,” Tim, 56, tells New Idea. “It showcases people being themselves. I love it because I’m not just creating pretty dresses. I am designing garments that show off athleticism and artistry.”
This year Tim has had his work cut out for him making sure the likes of Julie Goodwin, Nadia Bartel, Samantha Jade, Shane Crawford and Lisa McCune are dance-floor ready.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a season of DWTS without rumours of diva demands for the best dressing room and costumes emerging. However, Tim is keeping quiet on whether he’s witnessed any of this ‘bad behaviour’.
Instead, he says many of the cast were total joys to be around. In particular, he found Lisa just “heaven” to dress.
“I saw her as a classic Hollywood siren,” Tim tells us. “Everything I designed for Lisa looked like it was out of a classic movie.
“The great thing about Lisa is she brought different characters to each dance. She treated it like an acting gig.”
But of all the celebrity dancers vying for the Mirrorball Trophy, Julie is Tim’s favourite.
“Julie was told all her life that she was clumsy,” Tim says with bracing candour. “The moment she put on the gown I designed for her, her posture instantly changed.
“She looked at herself in the mirror and said, ‘Yes! This is how I look.’
“I really wanted to honour Julie. To show her courage. She had never danced before and she amazed everyone. No-one will ever call her clumsy again.
“That is the beauty of Dancing. It gives people a new confidence and positive sense of self.”
Tim also singles out Nova for her lithe prowess, saying, “She has those long, long legs … just beautiful.”
As for the fellas, Tim adds, “They [are] so enthusiastic and determined.”
It was recently reported that Tim no longer sketches his trademark designs but defers to the current trend of AI (artificial intelligence). He strongly refutes the rumour.
“That’s crazy,” he says. “Artificial intelligence doesn’t have a heart and it certainly can’t design. I have used it when looking for certain textures in materials, but that’s all. AI will never take over from people.”
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