Carrie Fisher’s Slave Leia costume from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
The power of Star Wars has held our imaginations for decades and with nine films (plus various spin-offs) we have seen countless characters and costumes; but when it comes to attire, Carrie Fisher as Slave Leia in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi grabs all of the headlines.
When the third film in the franchise, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was released in 1983, the budgets were bigger, the special effects more believable and the costumes were more… memorable. A quick recap of the plot and we see Princess Leia disguised as a bounty hunter, infiltrating the palace of notorious gangster Jabba the Hutt with the sole intention of rescuing comrades Han Solo and Chewbacca. The liberation of Han and Chewie not going to plan, Leia is subsequently caught and ensnared by Jabba, and voila, it’s there that film history is made for fanboys, geeks and cosplayers!
©Disney/Star Wars
Slave Leia* was only featured in two scenes, and for a grand total of 150 seconds of screen time, nonetheless her copper brassiere, burgundy loincloth and boots made Fisher an instant sex symbol (in the 80’s, when that sort of thing was allowed!). Developed and custom-made by Aggie Gerard Rodgers, she was given a minimal design brief by George Lucas, who just wanted something special. Rodgers initially wanted a 25-yard train of fabric flowing through the scene, but with stunts and sets to consider, that idea was soon put to bed.
The combo that we’re now familiar with matured from sketches by Rodris Jamero, assistant art director for The Empire Strikes Back, and was inspired by the drawings of sci-fi artist Frank Frazetta. Fisher is quoted as saying that the bikini is “what supermodels will eventually wear in the seventh ring of hell.”
Other notable costumes worn by Princess Leia include her Ceremonial Gown (with recognisable buns), Hoth Snowsuit, Bespin Gown, Combat Camo Poncho and Boushh outfit.
*Also worn by Jennifer Aniston in Friends, Lois Griffin in Family Guy and, of course, loads of adoring cosplay fans.
©halloweencostumes.co.uk
Click here to check out this website, where you can buy your own Slave Leia costume.
Did you Know?
Slave Leia’s outfit sold at auction for £96,000 ($120,000) in 2015.
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