Princess Leia’s Slave Costume
It is an iconic costume: the metal bikini worn by Princess Leia when, in Star Wars: Episode VI, Return of the Jedi, she is captured and forced to become Jabba the Hutt’s slave and trophy.
“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….”
I saw on the news this week that Princess Leia’s iconic gold bikini from Return of the Jedi going to auction shortly, and is expected to fetch between $80,000 and $120,000 USD.
I was a keen fan of those original Star Wars movies: not such a big fan that I’d invest in a metal costume – even assuming I could afford it, but a fan none the less. The first movie, released in 1977, came at a time when my world was on the brink of change, and it felt as if I was riding a new-age wave. I was not alone, and the series became a considerable pop-culture phenomenon.
Of course, like many emerging trends, it failed to live up to my expectations in the long term, but it is still fun to go back and revisit those days when fantasy and science fiction seemed to promise a hope for change in the real world.
On my previous visits to Seattle I’ve always admired the EMP (Experience Music Project) Museum. The building is all metal curves, and from sunrise to sunset reflects the city’s distinctive skyline in vibrant colours. On our most recent visit to the city, the EMP was featuring a temporary exhibit of hand-crafted costumes from the six Star Wars movies.
It was too good an opportunity to miss, so I finally made a visit inside … and down memory lane.
Almost Abstract: The Space Needle in the EMP
Designed by Frank O. Gehry and built between 1999 and 2000, the EMP building is covered in reflecting sheet-metal panels. The overall design represents an undulating musical “black box” dedicated to local legend Jimi Hendrix.
Entrance Stairs
The entrance to Star Wars and the Power of Costume is lit up like like a space-ship from an alternative universe.
Yoda Puppet
A puppet, used by Frank Oz and Mark Hamill to rehearse lines for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, sits at the top of the stairs.
Attendant
An attendant goes through the rules of admission – which of course include strictly “No Flash!” She also enumerates some of the highlights around the museum.
Darth Sidious
Costumes are an integral part of a character’s portrayal. The costumes for Senator Palpatine change in style, colour, texture, and ornamentation, in line with his metamorphosis from seemingly benevolent Senator through to despotic Emperor.
C-3PO
Who doesn’t love the stuffy, somewhat pompous, protocol droid C-3PO?
Velvet Dress
I am much less familiar with the later movies – the prequels, in effect – but I believe this is one of many richly-made elaborate costumes worn by Padmé Amidala, mother of Luke and Leia.
Intergalactic Queen and Entourage
As a Princess, then Queen, and finally Senator, Padmé Amidala is richly costumed and well accompanied.
Mongolian Royal Inspired Senate Headdress
Padmé Amidala’s Senate costume pays homage to the elaborate Mongolian court dress of the past.
Sang Jun Lee Costume Sketches
“Costume is not separate from character design.”
– Sang Jun Lee, Concept Artist, Episode III
Doug Chiang Character-Board
“In order to create a future, we looked into the past, and drew inspiration from history and nature in order to give our fictional creations a realistic foundation.”
– Doug Chiang, Design Director, Episode I, II
Lightsabers
Star Wars introduced the laser sword to the world. In retrospect, this – and the Jedi “force” – is a natural progression from Eastern martial arts, but at the time it seemed quite revolutionary.
Two Sides of Leia
Princess Leia, disguised as a bounty hunter on the left, was perfectly capable as a warrior. Actress Carrie Fisher said of the slave costume: “It was like the bikini from hell. It was like steel, not steel, but hard plastic, and if you stood behind me you could see straight to Florida.”
Tusken Raiders
The Sand People or Tuskens are a nomadic tribe, indigenous to the fictional desert planet Tatooine.
Darth Vader
Listed as the third-greatest movie villain in cinema history by the American Film Institute, Darth Vader, master of “the Dark Side”, is an imposing figure.
Terminator’s T-800 Android
As long as we were inside the museum, we decided to have a look at the “Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction” exhibits.
“Thriller”
We also wandered through the “Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror” section. I’m not a horror fan, but the videos of seminal directors talking about the history of the genre was fascinating…
“Shadow Monsters”
… and playing with Philip Worthington’s interactive shadow monster installation was great fun.
“Labyrinth”
In the “Fantasy: World of Myths and Magic” section, I found costumes from one of my other favourite movies: the 1986 “Labyrinth” with David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. I thought this fantasy mask, suitable for a Renaissance Fair or a Venetian Ball, would make a fitting final image.
There was much more to see – and of course we explored Seattle’s music scene, including Hendrix and Nirvana. But, we were principally there for the film props and costume exhibits.
I’m glad I got to revisit my memories of the Star Wars movies – and to revel for a while in other fictions and fantasies of my younger, more hopeful, days. As it turns out, the Costume exhibit closes this week, and as I said earlier, that iconic bikini goes under the hammer.
It is the end of another era…
Till next time.
Pictures: 30May2015
