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Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars
While the "Star Wars" saga is famous for its elaborate sets and for revolutionary visual effects, it also features some of the most unique and ornate costumes in modern film. In this exquisite volume, the intricate and beautiful fashions that have appeared in all six "Star Wars" films are on display-from military gear to royal gowns and the iconic garbs of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. Every costume is brilliantly displayed in intimate detail, from preproduction sketches to the final creations. Actors, including Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson, provide commentary on their experiences during principal photography, while writer-director George Lucas and producer Rick McCallum contribute their thoughts on this exploration of "Star Wars" costume design.
216 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 15, 2016
I feel really incredibly picky and petty for not rating this book more highly. But I've been spoiled by excellent online resources like The Padawan's Guide to Star Wars Costumes, which probably inflated my expectations. This is what you'll get in the professionally published, fully licensed version: very nice, full body shots of the actors in some, but not all, of their costumes. There's a handful of costumes that have one detail shot, and a few pieces of concept art. Not all of the costumes get the full treatment, and some are only illustrated by stills from the movies. Costumes from the original trilogy are barely mentioned, pushed off into sidebars, with the exception of Vader's iconic costume. What is here is good, but I wish there was more. There are posed stills of the original trilogy actors in costume, and there's an incredible wealth of official photos of every detail of the prequel trilogy costumes. I was kind of hoping to get more from this, or at least something different than sites like the Padawan's Guide can offer: more detail shots, more concept art, more discussion of what inspired the costumes, something. But it is a very handsome book, and probably people who haven't been salivating over costuming websites for years will be more satisfied than people like me who have.
October 26, 2016
This is an amazing photo-book. There's so much detail about the costumes for Episodes 1-3 (not much on 3-6 but they didn't have many costume changes).
I do wish there was more information about the fabrics themselves (thread count, origin, construction) but what I did get was pretty amazing. Almost all of the photos were still shots done specifically for something like this book so they were not dynamic.
The photos are large, full color and well lit. Beautiful! Lovers of costumes and fabrics will enjoy this coffee table book.
Beware: This is more of a picture book than something very detailed on fabrics and costuming. The book is mostly photographs with very few printed words.
I do wish there was more information about the fabrics themselves (thread count, origin, construction) but what I did get was pretty amazing. Almost all of the photos were still shots done specifically for something like this book so they were not dynamic.
The photos are large, full color and well lit. Beautiful! Lovers of costumes and fabrics will enjoy this coffee table book.
Beware: This is more of a picture book than something very detailed on fabrics and costuming. The book is mostly photographs with very few printed words.
December 5, 2012
(More pictures at parkablogs.com)
This is a hardcover book with a dust jacket. The book is well bind and sturdy. The paper stock is low gloss and of high quality. This is a well constructed book.
The focus of this book is on the costumes for Star Wars Episode I, II and III. The amazing variety of costumes were designed by Trisha Biggar, the costume designer for Star Wars prequel trilogy.
There are more than 300 photos included. The texture of the materials and exquisite details of the designs are shown clearly with many close up photos. All the costumes are captioned by the costume department and some by the actors — Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman and others.
There are little stories on the creating the costumes, from the inspiration, designing, sourcing to execution. It's like a making-of book that focuses on costume development.
The costumes are split into different categories, and respective chapters:
1. Jedi vs Sith
2. Royalty
3. Military Wear
4. The Galactic Senate
5. Slaves, Rogues & Bounty Hunters
6. Padme's Journey
This book has the depth, and provides an intriguing read.
This review was first published on parkablogs.com. There are more pictures and videos on my blog.
September 5, 2010
It blows my mind that Trish Biggar was not nominated for an Oscar for Best Costumes. I am a huge Star Wars fanatic, and this book is a MUST for anyone who fell in love with the costumes like I did. Sure, I don't know anything about sewing or costume making, but the pictures are phenomenal. It is amazing to see the craftsmanship and detailing in all of the pieces. Gorgeous! If I ever win a huge jackpot lottery, I am so asking Trish Biggar to be my personal stylist and dress maker.
September 21, 2019
This book was gorgeously rendered. It was a lot of fun to just flip through it and read about all of my favorite costumes. The symbolism, and detail that went into dressing these characters was just phenomenal.
August 20, 2016
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed its predecessor, Star Wars Costumes. It felt more simplistic, more like a magazine spread than a serious discussion of costuming. It focused on costuming for the prequel trilogy (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith), and to be fair, the photographs are amazing, just gorgeous. Unfortunately, the text leaves a lot to be desired. We get details of what the costumes are made of, occasionally, and every section has an essay about the costumes contained within, but it didn't go into the kind of detail that Star Wars Costumes did. It was really little more than a photo shoot. If you're looking for a coffee-table book that shows off the Star Wars costumes, this is for you. If you're looking for something more in-depth, this book will not give you that.
August 4, 2008
It's astonishing the detail and thought that goes into every costume. It's wonderful to be able to see the detail up close and be able to appreciate it.
December 23, 2025
If anyone were to track down a physical copy of this book for me, I’d love them eternally.
September 10, 2020
May the fashion of the Force be with you! I got this book about the costumes of Star Wars (mainly the prequels) on eBay, and I loved it. If you want to see pictures of the gorgeous costumes from the prequels and some insight into the process behind them, you should try to track a copy of Dressing the Galaxy down! (Maybe check your local public library?)
September 4, 2019
Originally published online at BORG.com.
Long before I became a Star Trek fan and a Lord of the Rings fan, I was a diehard Star Wars fan. From the first time I saw the words “Along time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” and Luke and R2 and 3PO skimming the Tatooine desert in the landspeeder I had to know everything and anything about the movies, the actors, you name it. And Lucas obliged over the next 35 years, producing every toy, album, video, breakfast cereal, and anything else one could think of tied to the franchise, including books about every detail of the making of the movies and the further adventures of our heroes first through comic books then through paperback novels, up to the then unheard-of, full release of prequel films.
What you could never get is a piece of the real thing—actual costumes or props from the films. From time to time pieces surface here or there, but for the most part the franchise has kept its collection together and private. Just think of the warehouses of Imperial uniforms alone that must reside on Skywalker Ranch and elsewhere. I know one person who has managed to collect a few blasters—a rare privilege and a lucky guy. And–for the wealthy–you can get a stunt lightsaber but you’ll pay $25,000 and more and who can do that except Paul Allen? Even when other franchises opened up their warehouses and sold off their wardrobes and prop house supplies, such as what occurred for Star Trek over the past five years, as well as Warner Brothers and other production company sales and auctions, Lucas is keeping everything. And that’s awesome. Lord of the Rings has done the same thing. You just can’t find real LOTR props and costumes in the marketplace.
That said, there are incredible costume replicas for cosplay put out for Harry Potter by Warner Bros. and Museum Replicas, for LOTR by Museum Replicas, for Star Wars via Museum Replicas and Windlass Studios, and Star Trek via Anovos. And for those who like to make their own, there are sewing patterns like those made by Simplicity available at sewing and craft stores.
There is nothing like the tactile experience of handling something that your favorite fictional hero handled. One route to get there is through companies like Rittenhouse, who prints and sells licensed trading cards. Special cards include original signed sketches or autographs, or if you’re very lucky, actual costume material either worn by an actor in the movie or swatches of fabric from the same bolts used by the production to make the costumes. Rittenhouse’s Star Trek line of cards actually involved the destruction of dozens of screen-used costumes, cut into less-than-one-inch squares and glued to a card—and in a later article I will show how most of those cards can be traced to actual auctions where Rittenhouse purchased these artifacts of Hollywood. For preservers of Hollywood history, Topps had a better idea with its LOTR line—they stuck to using the same fabrics from the production without destroying the beautiful uniforms and dresses from the actual film. Many card owners think they are handling the real thing because they don’t read the fine print on the card’s reverse, but the disclaimer is there stating its “use in production.” The Rittenhouse Star Trek costumes did not fare as well. Artbox has a vast line of costume cards for the Harry Potter series, and that company seems to have a mix of both costume material it claims was “worn by” various actors as well as “material used to create” costumes for different films. But as to Star Wars, no one has been able to secure a license to sell swatches of actual costumes or production fabrics. But one deluxe book finally has made it possible for the public to get closer than ever to the costumes of the Star Wars galaxy.
Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars Limited Edition by Star Wars prequel costumer Trisha Biggar is probably the finest examination of costumes for a movie series ever published. The book is available by itself, or for the full effect, in a deluxe Limited Edition boxed set with so many extras you will revisit the set again and again. The book was offered in a limited quantity of 2,500 copies and is still available via Amazon. And the extras are superb.
The Limited Edition features a hardcover, detailed book, encased in a cloth-wrapped, clamshell box wrapped in Japanese silk, and:
– 1,000 copies are autographed by Biggar
– 500 full-color illustrations
– Fabric swatches from the Lucasfilm Archives
– Special Insert: “Behind the Seams” depicting costume evolution inside Trisha Biggar’s workshop
– Special Edition Lucasfilm DVD with backstage actor commentaries
– Features eight bound-in booklets: Headdresses, Classic Star Wars characters, CG costume, Footwear, “Dressing Bail Organa”
– Costume breakdowns with transparent overlays, Jewelry, Darth Vader
– Six Additional Gatefolds: Jedi Council, Fabric details, Military, Senators, Rogue’s Gallery, Padme outfit
– Wookiee belt-buckle replica
Trisha Biggar was Costume Designer for the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Whether or not you loved or hated the prequels, you cannot deny the stunning designs and craftsmanship that went into the costuming for the films. The book focuses on the prequels but includes some references to the original series via photos as well. The Limited Edition also includes a small booklet on details of the virtual costumes worn by the cast of computer-generated characters, like Yoda and Jar Jar Binks.
Dressing a Galaxy does what no other book to-date has done for any franchise: it offers not only staged costume photos, but it also includes photos of the costumes modeled by the actors who wore them and features close-up details of the fabrics, cuts, and designs to give you an unprecedented look at how a costume designer creates the look of different cultures, planets, and alien races spanning a fictional time and place. No other book on movie costumes and no other Star Wars book offers fans such a close-up and hands on experience. And it includes interviews with actors and production members.
My favorite highlights from the Limited Edition (the book available by itself has none of the extra features listed above or below and none of the swatches were from the actual costumes worn):
— A large piece of material used for Darth Vader’s cape
–Seven swatches of fabric used for various dresses worn by Natalie Portman’s Padme/Queen/Senator Amidala
–A large swatch of fabric used for Ewan MacGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi tan robes
–All four different fabric and leather swatches used for Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi robes from Revenge of the Sith
—Three swatches of different fabrics used for Senator Palpatine’s senate robes
— Four swatches of fabric used for Jimmy Smits’ Bail Organa emerald senate robes
Make no mistake, the Limited Edition is pricey–the book by itself is about $200 and the Limited Edition about $300. But if you add up the cost of just half a dozen costume cards from LOTR, Harry Potter, or Star Trek you will easily get to these prices just for the swatches of fabric.
My only negative comment: But for an included inset booklet showcasing original trilogy costumes from the Smithsonian Institution’s “Magic of Myth” Star Wars exhibit there is not a lot of attention on the equally incredible original costumes. A companion volume should be created focusing on the original Star Wars trilogy, and for that matter, LOTR, Harry Potter and Star Trek deserve a similarly designed book on their costumes.
A companion website was created when the original costumes featured in the book were on display there in 2005 and is worth checking out.
Long before I became a Star Trek fan and a Lord of the Rings fan, I was a diehard Star Wars fan. From the first time I saw the words “Along time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” and Luke and R2 and 3PO skimming the Tatooine desert in the landspeeder I had to know everything and anything about the movies, the actors, you name it. And Lucas obliged over the next 35 years, producing every toy, album, video, breakfast cereal, and anything else one could think of tied to the franchise, including books about every detail of the making of the movies and the further adventures of our heroes first through comic books then through paperback novels, up to the then unheard-of, full release of prequel films.
What you could never get is a piece of the real thing—actual costumes or props from the films. From time to time pieces surface here or there, but for the most part the franchise has kept its collection together and private. Just think of the warehouses of Imperial uniforms alone that must reside on Skywalker Ranch and elsewhere. I know one person who has managed to collect a few blasters—a rare privilege and a lucky guy. And–for the wealthy–you can get a stunt lightsaber but you’ll pay $25,000 and more and who can do that except Paul Allen? Even when other franchises opened up their warehouses and sold off their wardrobes and prop house supplies, such as what occurred for Star Trek over the past five years, as well as Warner Brothers and other production company sales and auctions, Lucas is keeping everything. And that’s awesome. Lord of the Rings has done the same thing. You just can’t find real LOTR props and costumes in the marketplace.
That said, there are incredible costume replicas for cosplay put out for Harry Potter by Warner Bros. and Museum Replicas, for LOTR by Museum Replicas, for Star Wars via Museum Replicas and Windlass Studios, and Star Trek via Anovos. And for those who like to make their own, there are sewing patterns like those made by Simplicity available at sewing and craft stores.
There is nothing like the tactile experience of handling something that your favorite fictional hero handled. One route to get there is through companies like Rittenhouse, who prints and sells licensed trading cards. Special cards include original signed sketches or autographs, or if you’re very lucky, actual costume material either worn by an actor in the movie or swatches of fabric from the same bolts used by the production to make the costumes. Rittenhouse’s Star Trek line of cards actually involved the destruction of dozens of screen-used costumes, cut into less-than-one-inch squares and glued to a card—and in a later article I will show how most of those cards can be traced to actual auctions where Rittenhouse purchased these artifacts of Hollywood. For preservers of Hollywood history, Topps had a better idea with its LOTR line—they stuck to using the same fabrics from the production without destroying the beautiful uniforms and dresses from the actual film. Many card owners think they are handling the real thing because they don’t read the fine print on the card’s reverse, but the disclaimer is there stating its “use in production.” The Rittenhouse Star Trek costumes did not fare as well. Artbox has a vast line of costume cards for the Harry Potter series, and that company seems to have a mix of both costume material it claims was “worn by” various actors as well as “material used to create” costumes for different films. But as to Star Wars, no one has been able to secure a license to sell swatches of actual costumes or production fabrics. But one deluxe book finally has made it possible for the public to get closer than ever to the costumes of the Star Wars galaxy.
Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars Limited Edition by Star Wars prequel costumer Trisha Biggar is probably the finest examination of costumes for a movie series ever published. The book is available by itself, or for the full effect, in a deluxe Limited Edition boxed set with so many extras you will revisit the set again and again. The book was offered in a limited quantity of 2,500 copies and is still available via Amazon. And the extras are superb.
The Limited Edition features a hardcover, detailed book, encased in a cloth-wrapped, clamshell box wrapped in Japanese silk, and:
– 1,000 copies are autographed by Biggar
– 500 full-color illustrations
– Fabric swatches from the Lucasfilm Archives
– Special Insert: “Behind the Seams” depicting costume evolution inside Trisha Biggar’s workshop
– Special Edition Lucasfilm DVD with backstage actor commentaries
– Features eight bound-in booklets: Headdresses, Classic Star Wars characters, CG costume, Footwear, “Dressing Bail Organa”
– Costume breakdowns with transparent overlays, Jewelry, Darth Vader
– Six Additional Gatefolds: Jedi Council, Fabric details, Military, Senators, Rogue’s Gallery, Padme outfit
– Wookiee belt-buckle replica
Trisha Biggar was Costume Designer for the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Whether or not you loved or hated the prequels, you cannot deny the stunning designs and craftsmanship that went into the costuming for the films. The book focuses on the prequels but includes some references to the original series via photos as well. The Limited Edition also includes a small booklet on details of the virtual costumes worn by the cast of computer-generated characters, like Yoda and Jar Jar Binks.
Dressing a Galaxy does what no other book to-date has done for any franchise: it offers not only staged costume photos, but it also includes photos of the costumes modeled by the actors who wore them and features close-up details of the fabrics, cuts, and designs to give you an unprecedented look at how a costume designer creates the look of different cultures, planets, and alien races spanning a fictional time and place. No other book on movie costumes and no other Star Wars book offers fans such a close-up and hands on experience. And it includes interviews with actors and production members.
My favorite highlights from the Limited Edition (the book available by itself has none of the extra features listed above or below and none of the swatches were from the actual costumes worn):
— A large piece of material used for Darth Vader’s cape
–Seven swatches of fabric used for various dresses worn by Natalie Portman’s Padme/Queen/Senator Amidala
–A large swatch of fabric used for Ewan MacGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi tan robes
–All four different fabric and leather swatches used for Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi robes from Revenge of the Sith
—Three swatches of different fabrics used for Senator Palpatine’s senate robes
— Four swatches of fabric used for Jimmy Smits’ Bail Organa emerald senate robes
Make no mistake, the Limited Edition is pricey–the book by itself is about $200 and the Limited Edition about $300. But if you add up the cost of just half a dozen costume cards from LOTR, Harry Potter, or Star Trek you will easily get to these prices just for the swatches of fabric.
My only negative comment: But for an included inset booklet showcasing original trilogy costumes from the Smithsonian Institution’s “Magic of Myth” Star Wars exhibit there is not a lot of attention on the equally incredible original costumes. A companion volume should be created focusing on the original Star Wars trilogy, and for that matter, LOTR, Harry Potter and Star Trek deserve a similarly designed book on their costumes.
A companion website was created when the original costumes featured in the book were on display there in 2005 and is worth checking out.
April 5, 2019
I don't know if fabric porn is a thing or not ... but if it is, this is what it looks like.
I wish it were a little more comprehensive as far as characters go, but it's very good for what it is.
I wish it were a little more comprehensive as far as characters go, but it's very good for what it is.
December 12, 2021
After buying this book, I was initially disappointed when I realized it only covers the prequel trilogy. A slightly misleading title, I think, although there are a few small inserts about the original trilogy. However, the photographs are amazingly detailed, and reading the actual text of the book I am blown away by the insanity of the people who worked on these costumes- there was an insane amount of work put into each one, even those on side characters or those with only a few minutes of screen time. I also enjoyed learning some behind-the-scenes tidbits/trivia (like that the secret wedding dress was made from an antique lace bedspread!). Naturally, there is an entire chapter dedicated solely to Padme. I can’t think of any other character in a movie that wore as many costumes as her, especially not such elaborately beautiful ones. Unfortunately my copy is used and damaged, but this book would make a good “coffee table” piece for any serious Star Wars fan.
December 19, 2015
"Dressing a Galaxy" focuses mostly on the costuming work on the prequels, although we also see glimpses of the original films in the book as well.
The good: The photos are plentiful and gorgeous. It is clear that the attire of Amidala, for example, was extensively considered and lovingly crafted. The amount of work put into her costuming was incredible.
The cons: The book is mostly a picture book and the text offers little in the way of fresh insight. The book also reminds us painfully of how ineffective the casting and script for the prequels would be. It's hard not to wince inside when the costume designer rhapsodizes about how "sultry" Amidala would be in the peak of her romance with Anakin, and right next to that quote is a photo showing a child-faced girl and a sulky teenage boy.
The good: The photos are plentiful and gorgeous. It is clear that the attire of Amidala, for example, was extensively considered and lovingly crafted. The amount of work put into her costuming was incredible.
The cons: The book is mostly a picture book and the text offers little in the way of fresh insight. The book also reminds us painfully of how ineffective the casting and script for the prequels would be. It's hard not to wince inside when the costume designer rhapsodizes about how "sultry" Amidala would be in the peak of her romance with Anakin, and right next to that quote is a photo showing a child-faced girl and a sulky teenage boy.
March 26, 2015
This book was absolutely beautiful with great detailed pictures of all of the prequel costumes. However, my only complaint is that there wasn't more descriptions of the costumes. It was mostly just images, which is really cool, but I would have liked some more descriptions of the inspiration for the costumes and how they were made. Also, different perspectives of each costume would have been nice, too. They did show different sides of some of the main costumes, but others were only shown from one view.
October 9, 2009
This book is a MUST for serious costumers and lovers of costumes. A combination of Asian cultures blended to create a fantasy of royal costumes in a galaxy far, far.......
Beautiful photos, close ups of detailing. Over 300 costumers involved.
I so envy being able to have worked on this film. And also Lord of the Rings. I would keep doing what I do if I could have a chance work on such an adventure.
Already a collectors item.
Beautiful photos, close ups of detailing. Over 300 costumers involved.
I so envy being able to have worked on this film. And also Lord of the Rings. I would keep doing what I do if I could have a chance work on such an adventure.
Already a collectors item.
December 4, 2012
Somebody pretty darned awesome got me the collector's edition of this one for my birthday (Thank you, Caroline!).
What an amazing book. Even if you aren't into Star Wars, it's a must read if you are interested at all in film costuming.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more of the background characters as many of them have really interesting costumes. The book would have had to have been a few hundred more pages, though.
I wouldn't have minded.
What an amazing book. Even if you aren't into Star Wars, it's a must read if you are interested at all in film costuming.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more of the background characters as many of them have really interesting costumes. The book would have had to have been a few hundred more pages, though.
I wouldn't have minded.
March 29, 2008
This is the most visually appealing book I have ever read! To see all the details that go into making a single costume, is truly amazing! This book also provides aspiring costume designers with a great depth into the process of disigning and making a great costume. Plus, if you ever want to make a Star Wars costume that's accurate to the real one, this is your book!
February 17, 2010
This is an amazing book, my only qualm was they didn't really have anything from the first movies. BUT all of the detail on Queen Amidala's costumes alone make this book amazing, although I wish I had been able to afford the 'deluxe edition' which apparently came with fabric swatches.
August 18, 2010
I love the costumes of Star Wars! I'm so glad to have this book :)
November 18, 2010
This is my happy place.
September 25, 2022
One of my favorite things about Interlibrary Loan is being able to get my hands on out of print books that I could never afford to buy. Case in point: Dressing a Galaxy. This is a gorgeous book and I so wish I could own it, but having it for a few weeks was wonderful too. It is a love letter to the beautiful costumes of the Star Wars prequels (you can see a few on the next slides). I loved reading the anecdotes from Trisha Briggs describing the process of the costume creation and some of the amazing detail shots of the intricate costumes. And of course, the many (many) costumes of Padmé are given special attention, to my great delight. This book has me dreaming of a day in the future where I’m able to create and cosplay some of those amazing designs (Lake Dress, I’m coming for you). This book also focuses on many of the amazing designs of the backgrounds characters that may have only been on screen for a few moments, but their costumes still show the love and attention to detail that creat a truly immersive world.
Honestly if you love costume design or Star Wars (or both) and you get a chance to read this book, TAKE IT. It’s so lovely and I’m hoping for a reprint someday so one can maybe own it for less than $400. 😅
Honestly if you love costume design or Star Wars (or both) and you get a chance to read this book, TAKE IT. It’s so lovely and I’m hoping for a reprint someday so one can maybe own it for less than $400. 😅
July 25, 2025
I found my copy of "Dressing a Galaxy" at a garage sale. I went completely silent, grabbed it, and was almost dancing with glee while paying the sellers. It was an older couple, and the husband said, "We just want to know it'll go to a good home." I assured them it would be loved and left squealing, squeaking, and literally skipping for a good 30 minutes after leaving that sale!
There are no words to describe how fantastic is was to read this book, to touch the pages, and to know it's part of my collection. I am eternally thankful for access to the high-quality images available online, but it is a completely different experience to be able to flip through a physical book and look at the details printed on paper. The memories of cast and crew were amazing, and the repeated refrain of actors saying they truly had a new grasp on their character once they put the costume on was just amazing--and confirmed that possibly no one nerds out harder about Star Wars than the people who worked on the movies!
There are no words to describe how fantastic is was to read this book, to touch the pages, and to know it's part of my collection. I am eternally thankful for access to the high-quality images available online, but it is a completely different experience to be able to flip through a physical book and look at the details printed on paper. The memories of cast and crew were amazing, and the repeated refrain of actors saying they truly had a new grasp on their character once they put the costume on was just amazing--and confirmed that possibly no one nerds out harder about Star Wars than the people who worked on the movies!
July 16, 2024
Creative extravaganza mixed with tenacious application in a film’s world building never ceases to amaze me. It’s glorious to get a peak into the world of costume design in film — drawing from every culture, time period, and the natural world around them, these artists make something uniquely there own but with homage to history itself.
Conveying symbolism and hints about the characters in the very lining of their costume’s ensemble is a beautiful storytelling of it’s own!
One of my favorite snippets was the creation of Darth Vader’s costume where they drew from a WW2 German Helmet, a military gas mask, a Monk’s cloak, a leather under-suit from the motorcycle department, and a breastplate from the medieval section! What a cool job to mix such an eclectic medley of garments to create one of film’s most notorious villains!
Such a fun read with meaningful and informative writing and dazzling photography.
Conveying symbolism and hints about the characters in the very lining of their costume’s ensemble is a beautiful storytelling of it’s own!
One of my favorite snippets was the creation of Darth Vader’s costume where they drew from a WW2 German Helmet, a military gas mask, a Monk’s cloak, a leather under-suit from the motorcycle department, and a breastplate from the medieval section! What a cool job to mix such an eclectic medley of garments to create one of film’s most notorious villains!
Such a fun read with meaningful and informative writing and dazzling photography.
September 14, 2024
Although the book itself is not a thing of beauty (“Game of Thrones” has that covered) it does everything it should. It has big color photos of the actors attired, some blown up details, the costume designer explainations as to the hows and whys, original sketches, George Lucas giving his conceptual ideas, stills from the movies, even the actors’s thought on what they were chosen to wear. I don’t think you could ask for more.
If you are a “Star Wars” fan I’d say this would be a must have book (although good luck getting it—the price on Amazon is astronomical). Even if you aren’t, it’s still quite interesting and many of the costumes are quite lovely.
If you are a “Star Wars” fan I’d say this would be a must have book (although good luck getting it—the price on Amazon is astronomical). Even if you aren’t, it’s still quite interesting and many of the costumes are quite lovely.
October 24, 2021
Very heavy on the Prequel trilogy, but it is so, so gorgeous. One of the best things about the trilogy are the sheer quantity and QUALITY of costumes. They are beautifully photographed and presented in this amazing coffee table book. I love getting to look at the details and the colors. Very niche, but a great addition to any bookshelf or coffee table for any movie costume lover or Star Wars fan.
January 13, 2018
This book, focusing on the lush costuming from the prequel trilogy, is a visual feast.
For anyone who is interested in costumes, in Star Wars, or just in gorgeous, gorgeous pictures, this is the way to go.
It doesn't have tons of text, but what there is in support of the images and the commentary on the design.
Very highly recommended.
For anyone who is interested in costumes, in Star Wars, or just in gorgeous, gorgeous pictures, this is the way to go.
It doesn't have tons of text, but what there is in support of the images and the commentary on the design.
Very highly recommended.
June 27, 2019
I've consumed this book multiple times. Both the photography collection and insight into costuming the Star Wars galaxy are delcious. A fairly hard to find book these days, but I highly recommend it to anyone interested in costuming, cosplay, and/or the look of Star Wars.
April 15, 2023
I've always loved the star wars costumes, great to be able to see them in detail (compared to pausing the movies to admire the costumes).
They tried to make them timeless, and have succeeded in most cases. It's fun to see how it's still under the strong influence of the early 2000s.
They tried to make them timeless, and have succeeded in most cases. It's fun to see how it's still under the strong influence of the early 2000s.
June 6, 2025
Beautiful, but not as information-rich as I had hoped for the high price tag usually associated with it (luckily I read it for free on an interlibrary loan). I imagine it would be a good resource for someone constructing a cosplay of one of the handful of costumes that it goes into detail about.
February 7, 2018
Pros: beautiful photographs of amazing textile arts.
Con: the only photos of actual Star Wars costumes weren't much more than thumbnails. Le sigh. At least I know I don't need to look at this again.
Con: the only photos of actual Star Wars costumes weren't much more than thumbnails. Le sigh. At least I know I don't need to look at this again.
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