The Star Wars saga has its flaws: there are issues with dialogue, the science is doubtful, there's the whole unfortunate Phantom Menace/midi-chlorian thing, and really, it's hard to deny that the movies have gone downhill a little bit more with each iteration in the series.* However, it's impossible to ignore the artistic brilliance of the films, the visual creativity that illuminates and informs George Lucas' epic tale of good and evil.
The Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibit, currently on display at the EMP in Seattle, explores and explains the large part of that visual storytelling which dedicated to the costuming for the films. The exhibit features costumes from all six of the films, and clearly illustrates the crucial role played by the wardrobe department in the creation of the Star Wars universe.
The iconography established in the first film is classic and simple from start to finish. The faceless Stormtroopers; Darth Vader's black armour and sinister helmet; Luke's simple farmboy garb; Obi-wan's monastic robes; Han Solo's morally ambiguous black-and-white gunslinger outfit; Leia's elegant white costume; each one contributes to a clear visual guide for each character's place in the story.
This fundamental symbolism continues for the next two movies: Luke never returns to the innocence of his original costume, and over the course of time, his clothing indicates that he may be getting closer and closer to inheriting his father's dark legacy. Leia's costumes confirm her position as a leader of the rebel forces, she dons an all-concealing disguise in an attempt to rescue Han from Jabba the Hut, is displayed in a degrading slave girl costume to emphasize her role as a captive, then symbolically uses her chains to strangle her captor.
The costumes of the second trilogy are more ornate and decorative, with only the robes of the Jedi retaining their simple design. We are shown a more developed palette of colours, and it is no longer a simple matter to determine a character's allegiance based purely on their clothing, which enhances the more duplicitous turns of the plot: Amidala appears as both Princess and handmaiden, Senator Palpatine's true nature is concealed then revealed, and Anakin Skywalker undergoes a slow transition from Jedi to Sith, with the final change to the dark trappings of his new persona as Darth Vader.
I visited the show during a recent weekend trip to Seattle with Karli, and it is fascinating to see the costumes in person - the degree of detail and craft is astonishing, and each display is accompanied by explanations and footnotes regarding various aspects of the costumes, their creation, and the influences behind their design. It's on display at the Science Fiction section of the EMP until October 4, 2015, and if you're visiting Seattle, I'd say that it would be well worth your time to pay a visit and get a closer look at the costumes of a galaxy far, far away.
- Sid
* Although I think we all have high hopes for the upcoming seventh film.
