3. Is that made out of Chewbacca fur?
The entire world is freaking out about Star Wars and the fashion industry is no exception. Fashion has never been this inspired by any other movie franchise. Think about it. Have you seen people sporting Mockingjay necklaces or Gryffindor scarves outside of Halloween 👻? Star Wars inspired clothing is more than just costume. The Force has taken over the fashion world from snapbacks to floor-length ball gowns.
In fact, fashion has always had an obsession with science fiction. In the midst of the 1960s space race 🚀, Pierre Cardin pioneered the Space Age style. Here’s a photograph of Cardin’s work from 1968.
His models sported astronaut-like head gear paired with saturated colors and sleek vinyl fabrics. The silhouettes were very body-conscious and gender specific. You’ll notice that the Star Trek series of the ‘60s mirrors this aesthetic.
Here’s an attendant dressed in a similar style from another ‘60s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
If the ‘60s had defined futuristic fashion, we would be seeing more skin-tight vinyl mini skirts and pops of Warhol pink. Star Wars was a turning point for science fiction fashion. Prior to Star Wars’ debut in the 70s, sci-fi TV and films were all styled in Cardin’s bubbly Space Age aesthetic.
Take a look at the following stills from Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
Ignore the insta-esque filters and notice how the style has completely changed. The colors are more muted and there’s a larger emphasis on drapery. Note how Luke and Leia wear garments of similar lengths and silhouettes. Star Wars drew inspiration from “foreign” non-Western styles, following examples set by the Japanese avant-garde movement. Melissa Alvarez, a curator at the Museum at FIT, writes:
“Characteristics such as layering, a loose voluminous fit, wide sleeves and the use of fine silks printed with nature motifs, were elements of traditional Japanese dress introduced to western fashion by these earlier designers.”
The Japanese movement into the world of fashion coincided with the release of Star Wars when Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto first showed their designs at Paris Fashion Week. Here are some examples of their work.
Take a look at this still from the latest Star Wars episode, The Force Awakens. Don’t worry, no spoilers here.
If Rey were wearing a ’60s Cardin Space Age suit, she probably wouldn’t have escaped this explosion. In all seriousness, Rey’s costume heavily reflects the Japanese avant-garde aesthetic described above. You’ll notice that her clothing is maximized for change and variability. The same garment works even when she’s riding in the wind.
Star Wars is also a great example of how fashion is influenced by popular culture. If you find yourself extra bored during the holiday season, go dig up promotional emails from your favorite stores. There’s no coincidence that nearly every retailer has delved deep into the galactic space theme. Here are a few I found.
Bloomingdales even partnered with Disney to create a special collection of Star Wars-inspired garments to benefit the Child Mind Institute. Designers took inspiration from various characters from The Force Awakens. Here are some of my favorites. Try to guess which character inspired each look 🤔
Fashion influenced Star Wars and vice-versa. The styling of Star Wars changed the course for the future of fashion, inspiring designers to think and experiment differently. To close, I’ll leave you with a picture of these amazing heels by Irregular Choice.
That’s all 💁.
