All Ze Details: DOLPHIN TALE 2

Hope and Winter in Alcon Entertainment's Dolphin Tale 2, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Wilson Webb

Beautiful beaches landscape Clearwater Florida, home to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The aquarium houses the stars of the Dolphin Tale series Winter and Hope. With an all-star cast including Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr, Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Dolphin Tale 2 is sure to please, bringing the power of “Hope” to the big screen.

The fashion of Dolphin Tale 2 is synonymous with the atmosphere of Clearwater. The inspiration of the surroundings overflow into the fashion of the movie; with vivid colors reflecting the hues of blue from the oceanic environment, flowy maxis, and mixtures of pattern for the wardrobe of Hazel Haskett (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) and Lorraine Nelson (Ashley Judd).

Costume Designer, Hope Hanafin gives us insight to the sequel of Dolphin Tale describing the fashion on set, the inspiration behind the wardrobe, and the transition of fashion for the youngest characters on set, Cozi Zuehlsdorf and Nathan Gamble.

Q: What did you use as inspiration behind the fashion for Dolphin Tale 2?

HH: For Dolphin Tale 2 we started with the rich world of shells, ocean fauna, and fish. It is a rainbow under the water’s surface! The oceans link us, and to underscore that point I incorporated design influences from many water-based cultures.

While the people that come to visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium are on vacation, our characters are not. They do real physical work in their clothes, and the costume choices reflect that. Water shoes, cargo shorts, rash guards, hats...they go in and out of the water, and have to be prepared for action at all times.

Q: What was is like pulling/designing apparel for Ashley Judd’s character? Here you have this working, single mother who also looks great after work. Who or what did you use as inspiration for her character?

HH: Lorraine Nelson (Ashley Judd) has evolved since the first film. Her son, Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) is happier and her divorce is in the past. Her colors have gotten brighter, her clothes have more a flow to them, and even her scrubs have taken on a warmer hue. Her look is relaxed, and confident.

Q: Was it easy finding lightweight & breathable clothing for the characters to beat the southern heat?

HH: We filmed over a period of several months so my concern was keeping the actors first cool, then warm. Working in the water it is important to keep the core warm, so many of the actors wore wet suits under their clothes.

Q: Did you focus on a particular color scheme for each character?

HH: Hazel’s (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) color scheme is the center of the film's palette. Bright, sun washed, and vibrant - it favors oranges, reds and corals. Turquoise occasionally makes it way in. We made many of her clothes, shorts, bathing suits and her party dress - which was made from an Indian sari. Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) spends much of the movie in uniform, so the blue world is pretty much his - although dark maroons found their way into his world.

Clay (Harry Connick Jr.) had the most subdued palette. We re-produced the Clearwater Marine Hospital t-shirts from Dolphin Tale for him, and took our cue from the worn-wrong-side-out Hawaiian print shirts that he favors.

Q: Is the fashion any different in the sequel? Different color schemes? Different inspiration for the kids now that they are a bit older?

HH: In the first film Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) started out in dull, faded brown tones and over sized clothes, he was almost lost in them and he emerges at the end in brighter colors. In Dolphin Tale 2 his growing confidence is reflected in clothes that fit, and that are cleaner and brighter. The colors are all sharper, and he has slightly hipper edge.

Hazel’s (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) fashion sense has grown. She still sees fashion as a global statement; mixing and matching patterns and elements form other cultures. She has a breezy sense of style and has an inventive way of dressing, right down to her decorated shoes and graphic t-shirts. Her shoes were designed by her sister, and some of her graphic t-shirts were designed, by a then 15 year old, Grace Curran.

I wanted to show that fashion does not come from the mall or off of a mannequin, but fashion is something that expresses your own sense of self and priorities. It does not have to be expensive. You will have style if you let your own personality, and world view - shine through.

Taking inspiration from Dolphin Tale 2 looks designed by Hope Hanafin, opt for maxis and flowy looks that are perfect for the summer. For colors reminiscent of the beaches in Clearwater, Florida and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium – opt for turquoise, blue hues, coral, orange hues, and anything bright and fun taking a nod to Hazel’s happy-go-lucky beach style.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s goal is to rescue, rehab, and release marine life and you can donate on the ClearwaterMarine Aquarium website. If you are hoping to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium there’s plenty to do there as you can book animal encounters including taking a photo with Winter, feeding a stingray, “Plump Up A Puffer” feeding program to feed a Puffer Fish, Dolphin Encounters, feeding Rufus, another star of Dolphin Tale, and meeting resident dolphins on “Dolphin Encounters.” There will also be an Exclusive Blue Carpet Event hosted in Clearwater Florida to celebrate the story of Winter and Hope on September 10 at 6:30 PM. Tickets range from $25-$50 for general admission and the Blue Carpet Event ticket that includes a VIP After Party Event Pass is $150. To reserve a ticket please call Ruth Eckerd Hall at 727-791-7400.

Dolphin Tale 2 will be released in theaters nationwide on September 12.