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accessories, actresses, Alexander McQueen, art, Black Swan, costumes, futuristic, Genghis Khan, Google Images, inspiration, Irving Penn, Keira Knightley, movies, Naboo, Natalie Portman, Obi-Wan Kenobi, observations, Phantom Menace, photography, pictures, Polyvore, Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn, raves, sci-fic, science-fiction, set designers, space age, Star Wars, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, style, Trisha Biggar, Vogue
Qui-Gon Jinn:…Obi-Wan, you’re sure there isn’t anything of value left on board?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: A few containers of supplies, the Queen’s wardrobe, maybe.
―excerpt from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
[Photos courtesy of Vogue. And Google Images.]
Although Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace came out almost 12 years ago, I don’t think I’ll ever cease to be amazed by the costumes. Natalie Portman as science-fantasy-fiction royalty with gorgeous costume changes in nearly every scene? That’s some prime re-watching value there. I’ve been even more smitten since re-discovering photos of said costumes featured in a Vogue US May 1999 issue. Shot by Irving Penn in all their lavish glory, the regal gowns glow with an otherworldly elegance. Designed by Trisha Biggar, each costume cost more than $60,000 each. Something “of value” indeed, Obi-Wan.
Anywho, just trying to justify my geekiness here: I made Polyvores of ‘em. Yes. I. Did. Just being weirdly out-of-sync with the rest-of-the-world’s-time-line, making irrelevant sartorial tributes to yesterday’s geekdom in my own little corner of the bloggy universe ^_^ Or you can think of it as making yesterday’s geekdom relevant to the rest-of-the-world via totally-in-sync sartorial tributes. Whatever rocks your boat.
Enjoy! <3
Queen Amidala's famous red dress was inspired by the imperial robes worn by the wife of Genghis Khan, the Grand Empress Börte. Go figure.
Keira Knightley (who played the Queen's decoy, Sabé) was the one who got to wear this dress for the film. But Natalie Portman wore it for the promotional shots. Just sayin'.
Considering the beautiful Italianate scenery of her home planet, I kinda wonder where did all the royal wardrobe's Eastern influences come from. White kimonos would look quite out of place in Naboo. Plus, do those beads look like white dreadlocks to you?
A 100% Alexander McQueen ensemble. My brother dubs this the "nude peacock look".
♥ Edit: I’ve made a sequel! Clicky here for Natalie Portman in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones ♥
Pingback: Natalie Portman in Star Wars: Style Inspiration (II) « drifter regalia
I love the heels! especially the one with the butterfly and the bee! It has a pristine look probably because it’s white haha..
Haha…I agree: those heels are gorgeous! :D I attribute the pristine look to its transparency…very futuristic and all that <3
Miss Drifter, your polyvores are amazing! I have never seen the phantom menace and I suspect I might get flayed if I try to watch it with Marius, so I will have to watch it one day when I am home alone ;)
By the way, what is your Polyvore username? I need to follow you!
Thank you! <3 *blush*
You should watch it! :D Never mind getting flayed…(do I detect an old-school Star Wars fan? ;) It's worth it just for the costumes! And Natalie Portman! *fangirling*
My Polyvore username is "drifterqueen" …I'm original that way ;)
I love these otherwordly types of costumes! It’s one of the main reasons why I love McQueen so much (even if most of his clothes don’t fit my aesthetic! maybe I will have to work it into my wardrobe somehow!)
Those costumes have completely bewitched me…and I do agree: McQueen does the otherworldly look to perfection! :D
(Please do! I’d love to see your take on it ;)
Best. Post. Ever.
The scarlet peacock dress looks seriously, seriously cool.
Thank! You! :D
I’m really proud of how that peacock turned out myself <3 *preensaffectedly*
Being a geek, I am a wee bit embarrassed by the fact that I did like The Phantom Menace (ducks and hides from her fellow nerds). That being said, I’m so happy that someone else appreciates the (literal) other-worldliness of Queen Amidala’s wardrobe. The polyvores are sheer perfection! You managed to make the incredible costumes wearable other than in that galaxy far, far away.
Haha…I’ve watched that movie six times already :D Just for the costumes, of course. And Natalie Portman. And the awesome light-saber duels to the death. Aanndd Darth Maul. Yeah, I liked that movie too. (Is there room in your hiding spot for me?)
Glad you enjoyed the polyvores! It was really fun trying to re-interpret those amazing costumes for the contemporary wardrobe. (I was going to say, “modern”, then I realized that it took place a long, long time ago…)