A Collaborative Approach to Costume Design
Maura Higgins is relishing the opportunity to co-create her ensembles for the 25th season of Dancing With the Stars, where she is currently partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas. For the 35-year-old star, the wardrobe process has become an essential part of her performance preparation.
«It’s been such a collaborative process, which I have fallen in love with,» Higgins shared in an exclusive interview. «You get to help choose the music, which can be so personal, so it helps connect the story of the dance by also being able to contribute to the costumes too. Each week I get to become a whole new character.»
To bring her vision to life, Higgins meets with the show's professional wardrobe team to discuss her ideas. She noted that the process is efficient and exciting, as the designers quickly sketch her concepts, resulting in a fitting just a few days later. She emphasized that this creative involvement significantly helps her mentally prepare for the live shows.
Reflecting on 'The Traitors' Fashion
Before her stint on the dance floor, Higgins gained significant attention for her daring fashion choices on the fourth season of The Traitors. She admitted that the show's reputation for high-end, dramatic style was a primary motivation for her participation.
Her wardrobe on that series included everything from intricate breastplates and extravagant hats to bold crop tops and gloves. «Dressing up in those outfits helps you feel like you’re in character and lean into the storyline of it all,» she explained. Among her favorite ensembles was a green latex outfit, which she prized for its thematic impact, despite the physical challenges of wearing the material for three consecutive days.
The Viral Birkin Moment
Higgins also opened up about her friendship with Lisa Rinna, whom she met while filming The Traitors. The bond between the two has even led to a viral moment involving an Hermès Birkin bag, which Rinna helped Rob Rausch purchase for Higgins following the show's dramatic finale.
While Higgins initially feared public perception regarding the finale outcome, the resulting viral attention and the gift of the designer handbag have turned the experience into a positive one. «I was so nervous that people would think I was a fool, but it has turned into this viral moment and I got a free Birkin so I think I won,» she joked. «Now my baby Birkin is famous in its own right, she gets stopped on the street, too!»