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Iconic

Entertainment Weekly

Sat, November 21, 2015 at 3:53 PM UTC

Iconic

Princess Leia Organa — Episode IV: A New Hope (left), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (center), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (right)

Don't let her white attire fool you — Carrie Fisher's fierce, fearless Princess Leia was never afraid to get her hands dirty in the fight against the Empire. The biggest departure from her normally demure style? Episode VI's jaw-dropping "Slave Leia" bikini, which she donned when captured by the slug-like crime lord Jabba the Hutt. The ensemble, which included a collar and chains, recently sold at auction for $96,000.

Luke Skywalker — Episode IV: A New Hope

"The characters must always appear credible," Episode IV and V costume designer John Mollo tells EW. "They must look as if they have got up that morning and put on what they wore the day before."

Darth Vader — Episode IV: A New Hope

If a film series is only as great as its villain, it's no wonder Star Wars remains a landmark saga today. Darth Vader terrorized Rebel forces with his towering frame (courtesy of actor and bodybuilder David Prowse) and his sonorous voice (courtesy of James Earl Jones). His intimidating, all-black wardrobe was inspired by concept drawings from legendary artist Ralph McQuarrie and World War I and Nazi armor, as well as samurai influences. It was created on a budget of just $1,173, according to starwars.com.

Stormtroopers — Episode IV: A New Hope

The distinctive white body armor of the Imperial Stormtroopers (created from vacuum-formed plastic) stood in sharp contrast to Vader's black garb. The boots were originally black but were painted over with white shoe dye, according to a post for the Smithsonian’s Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibit. "A lifetime of studying uniforms was a great help," Mollo writes to EW, addressing the creation of the Stormtroopers and beyond.

Padmé Amidala — (Left, Right) Episode I: The Phantom Menace, (Center) Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Natalie Portman's Padmé enjoyed an array of styles in the prequel trilogy, but her Episode I appearance, inspired by Mongolian bridal culture, was, without question, the most dramatic. "My friends and parents were all freaked out by seeing me in the makeup and the huge headpieces and the gowns," Portman told EW in 1999. "But they were wonderful, even though they weren't the most comfortable." The film’s chief makeup artist Paul Engelen adapted the aforementioned inspiration to Portman’s features, which he thinks "gave her a very particular look not seen on screen before."

Darth Maul — Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Emperor Palpatine’s sinister apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park) struck fear into his enemies with a double-bladed lightsaber and his painted, monstrous visage. “I developed the black and red design...from some of George’s [Lucas] impressions,” says Engelen. “The original thought was a crown of thorns, but I wanted to have them integrated into the skull.” All together, Maul looked the part of a fierce opponent for Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).

Aayla Secura — Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Jedi Aayla Secura appears only briefly, but her midriff-baring costume — which shows off her striking blue skin — made a serious impression. It took hours to transform then-Industrial Light & Magic production assistant Amy Allen for the role.

Anakin Skywalker — Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Hayden Christensen's Anakin might wear the same floor-length hooded robe as the other members of his order, but the flecks of fire in his eyes reveal his dark-side allegiance. “The transition into the dark side was where I was wanting to go from the very get-go,” Christensen says in a featurette, The Chosen One, from the Episode III DVD (also available for viewing here). “I wasn’t really sure at the time why I was being asked to pull back, but now I understand it’s because it has to take place at very specific points in this film.”

Kylo Ren — Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Swathed in black — a long flowing cloak, military-style boots, features concealed by an intimidating mask — villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) seems reminiscent of a certain Imperial leader. That's no accident. "The design was meant to be a nod to the Vader mask," director J.J. Abrams told EW in August. "He's a very isolated character and it’s a way of, I think, keeping people at arm’s length," adds costume designer Michael Kaplan.

Rey — Episode VII: The Force Awakens Desert scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) dresses for the arid climes of the planet Jakku in weathered shades of khaki. Kaplan says her garments are chiefly functional. "Everything that she has is basically something that is useful to her," he says, citing the long scarf that crisscrosses her body (good protection against sandstorms) as one example. "It's not just adornment."

Han Solo — Episode VII: The Force Awakens Harrison Ford's white shirt and worn leather jacket recall his Star Wars origins. “Harrison, I think, liked the familiarity of bringing back things that he had worn before, but updating them so it was very clear that 30 years had passed,” Kaplan says. He continues, speaking to the overall look and the update, "He's kind of a cowboy, and the new jacket is cut almost like a Levi's jean jacket."

Iconic

Princess Leia Organa — Episode IV: A New Hope (left), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (center), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (right)

Don't let her white attire fool you — Carrie Fisher's fierce, fearless Princess Leia was never afraid to get her hands dirty in the fight against the Empire. The biggest departure from her normally demure style? Episode VI's jaw-dropping "Slave Leia" bikini, which she donned when captured by the slug-like crime lord Jabba the Hutt. The ensemble, which included a collar and chains, recently sold at auction for $96,000.

Luke Skywalker — Episode IV: A New Hope

"The characters must always appear credible," Episode IV and V costume designer John Mollo tells EW. "They must look as if they have got up that morning and put on what they wore the day before."

Darth Vader — Episode IV: A New Hope

If a film series is only as great as its villain, it's no wonder Star Wars remains a landmark saga today. Darth Vader terrorized Rebel forces with his towering frame (courtesy of actor and bodybuilder David Prowse) and his sonorous voice (courtesy of James Earl Jones). His intimidating, all-black wardrobe was inspired by concept drawings from legendary artist Ralph McQuarrie and World War I and Nazi armor, as well as samurai influences. It was created on a budget of just $1,173, according to starwars.com.

Stormtroopers — Episode IV: A New Hope

The distinctive white body armor of the Imperial Stormtroopers (created from vacuum-formed plastic) stood in sharp contrast to Vader's black garb. The boots were originally black but were painted over with white shoe dye, according to a post for the Smithsonian’s Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibit. "A lifetime of studying uniforms was a great help," Mollo writes to EW, addressing the creation of the Stormtroopers and beyond.

Padmé Amidala — (Left, Right) Episode I: The Phantom Menace, (Center) Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Natalie Portman's Padmé enjoyed an array of styles in the prequel trilogy, but her Episode I appearance, inspired by Mongolian bridal culture, was, without question, the most dramatic. "My friends and parents were all freaked out by seeing me in the makeup and the huge headpieces and the gowns," Portman told EW in 1999. "But they were wonderful, even though they weren't the most comfortable." The film’s chief makeup artist Paul Engelen adapted the aforementioned inspiration to Portman’s features, which he thinks "gave her a very particular look not seen on screen before."

Darth Maul — Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Emperor Palpatine’s sinister apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park) struck fear into his enemies with a double-bladed lightsaber and his painted, monstrous visage. “I developed the black and red design...from some of George’s [Lucas] impressions,” says Engelen. “The original thought was a crown of thorns, but I wanted to have them integrated into the skull.” All together, Maul looked the part of a fierce opponent for Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).

Aayla Secura — Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Jedi Aayla Secura appears only briefly, but her midriff-baring costume — which shows off her striking blue skin — made a serious impression. It took hours to transform then-Industrial Light & Magic production assistant Amy Allen for the role.

Anakin Skywalker — Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Hayden Christensen's Anakin might wear the same floor-length hooded robe as the other members of his order, but the flecks of fire in his eyes reveal his dark-side allegiance. “The transition into the dark side was where I was wanting to go from the very get-go,” Christensen says in a featurette, The Chosen One, from the Episode III DVD (also available for viewing here). “I wasn’t really sure at the time why I was being asked to pull back, but now I understand it’s because it has to take place at very specific points in this film.”

Kylo Ren — Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Swathed in black — a long flowing cloak, military-style boots, features concealed by an intimidating mask — villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) seems reminiscent of a certain Imperial leader. That's no accident. "The design was meant to be a nod to the Vader mask," director J.J. Abrams told EW in August. "He's a very isolated character and it’s a way of, I think, keeping people at arm’s length," adds costume designer Michael Kaplan.

Rey — Episode VII: The Force Awakens Desert scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) dresses for the arid climes of the planet Jakku in weathered shades of khaki. Kaplan says her garments are chiefly functional. "Everything that she has is basically something that is useful to her," he says, citing the long scarf that crisscrosses her body (good protection against sandstorms) as one example. "It's not just adornment."

Han Solo — Episode VII: The Force Awakens Harrison Ford's white shirt and worn leather jacket recall his Star Wars origins. “Harrison, I think, liked the familiarity of bringing back things that he had worn before, but updating them so it was very clear that 30 years had passed,” Kaplan says. He continues, speaking to the overall look and the update, "He's kind of a cowboy, and the new jacket is cut almost like a Levi's jean jacket."

Star Wars costumes: The looks that defined the galaxy

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