Concept

Since 1977 Star Wars has captivated culture. Since the first film came out 11 films, 2 animated shows, and now 4 live action shows have joined the universe. Comics, fan-fiction, and novels have all been inspired by the story. While Star Wars affected the culture zeitgeist in many ways, I am particularly interested in the way that women were portrayed in the 11 films. The primary way that women have been seen and remembered is in the fashions found in space. Ranging from 1977 to 2019 these films have captured the fashion of galactic badasses in ways that not only show space-wear but also speak to the fashions and standards of culture at the time.  The fashions do more than just further the plots of the movie, they speak to how women were viewed, the power they have, and their sexuality in space.  

In many instances the costumes women wore in Star Wars have become iconic. Leia's white gown in her scene when she first meets the main cast is now a famous outfit that has been recreated in other movies and images. Perhaps the most famous outfit of all is Leia’s gold bikini. It became a sex symbol for the entire 1980s. So my question then is how do these women embody their sexuality in space? And why is it so significant to culture? It is not that the outfits are particularly wearable, or helpful in fighting evil in space—it is what they represent for the women wearing them.   

This project is personal for me not only because of my love of Star Wars, but because of how it shaped my own sexuality and relationship with fashion. Leia, Padme, Jyn, and Rey all represented women who were powerful and also fashionable. I grew up with the women of Star Wars and now with my education and understanding of fashion in film I am excited to explore the cultural significance of the clothes they wear and the ways that they became iconic.  

For sources I will be using the original films, the concept art for the costumes, interviews with the costume designers for the newer films, and magazine images and interviews that were done about the women of the film.