Today, my wife honored my geekiness with tickets to the Denver Art Museum’s show on Star Wars and The Power of Costume. With permission, I shot a few pictures of the amazing show, including concept drawings, ideas, storyboards, fabrics, and the full-on actual screen-worn outfits.

Creator and Director George Lucas spared no expense in these ensembles, and was involved in many of the smallest details. All are spectacular in their creativity. All set a tone, and make us feel something. He uses influences from groups we know–like Nazis storm troopers, western sheriffs, Egyptian princesses, Chinese Warlords and Geishas, and monastery Abbots to create a storyline through clothing. You can tell a lot about who is who by their costumes. The characters are shaped by their garments. Good and bad come wearing appropriate beads, boots, and bodices.

Isn’t this true for us? Don’t we look at the tats, the tie, the trench coat, the tuxedo, or the turban and make a instant judgment on the person inside the clothes? Hmmm. Hollywood knows us too well.

So, can you figure out what character wore what costume?

Push it for extra credit, and name the exact SW movie the costume appeared in?

As you enjoy the original costumes, I know some of the characters will be easy to name. Others require high levels of Star Wars nerdiness and a great memory. Give it a try…or just enjoy the detail, beauty, and magic of the memories!

 

The STAR WARS costume pictures continue in Part Two.