'Moana' costume designer says the film is her 'Polynesian Disney princess moment'

Disney's live-action "Moana" opens in theaters Friday, July 10, and it's truly a love letter to Polynesian culture.

The film was truly a pinch-me moment for the acclaimed costume designer who brought the animated designs to life.

"I get to work on my dream job, portraying my culture, which is everything to me as a Polynesian, as a Tongan," says costumer designer Liz McGregor. "It's all my dreams come true."

The New Zealand-based costume designer was tasked with the emotional, cultural honor of bringing to life the animated world of Moana, and her village of Motunui.

"We made over 2,000 hand-painted, hand-worked, braided, woven pieces for this film," says McGregor.

Her team hand sourced every textile, every natural fiber. Every stitch, stone and shell tells a story.

"I wanted to put my culture on a pedestal and shout it to the world and say, 'Look, how amazing this is? Look how amazing we are!'" she says.

McGregor felt a special, personal connection to Moana.

"I was brought up on an island myself," McGregor explains. "I was born in Tongatapu, which is a small island in Tonga. I have my own Moana moment." "My Disney princess moment was actually creating a Polynesian princess, a Polynesian Disney princess at that."

The title role of Moana is played by 19-year-old Samoan Australian breakout star Catherine Laga'aia.

"When she first put on the costume, it fit her like a dream, " says McGregor. "It's like she was always Moana. We were all in tears, actually. It was a magical moment!"

Disney's live-action "Moana" is in theaters on July 10.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.