The Wonder of 'Star Wars and the Power of Costume'

Written by Kate McHargue

In mid-November the Denver Art Museum became the new home to the traveling exhibit “Star Wars and the Power of Costume.” Like many of the travelling exhibits before it, this one has received buzz, interest, and patronage from many Coloradoans and perhaps even a few tourists. But what makes this exhibit special is that it’s not just attracting art lovers and K-12 field trip groups. It’s attracting the geeks, the nerds, the film buffs, the costume designers, the awestruck kids with their toy lightsabers, the parents with fond memories of the first time they saw these films in theaters, and that one guy who can do a spot on Chewbacca impression. I myself had been planning on going to this exhibit ever since the banners and billboards first popped up all over the city and I was worried that perhaps all the hype would leave me disappointed with the real deal. My worries were unfounded.

I fancy myself as a bit of a museum aficionado, being a lifelong attendee to museums ranging from the contemporary to the classic to the historical to the educational, etc. I have found that the key to a truly fantastic exhibit is not just the chosen subject, but it’s depth, detail, and aesthetic presentation when on display. “Star Wars and the Power of Costume” fulfills this criterion and more, providing a deeper look not just into a beloved sci-fi classic but into the art and skill that went into to creating new worlds, new species, new cultures, and characters that are canon even to those who’ve never seen a single movie. From the simple robes of the Jedi Knights to the glittering gowns of Naboo’s royalty and the Galactic Senate’s elite, the costumes of Star Wars do simple but powerful work in allowing viewers to lose themselves in this world George Lucas has created.

The exhibit boasts original costumes, props, early design sketches and concept art from the first seven films in the Star Wars saga. Everything on display is on loan directly from the Archives of Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and this includes the 70+ costumes and video footage of cast and crew discussing the ways in which these costumes helped create the characters we all know and love. The iconic black armor of Darth Vader, the famous Leia metal bikini, the intricate mechanics of the C-3PO suit and the cooling system for Chewbacca; each costume was specifically designed to set the scene and they are all on display in this exhibit.

While many fans agree that the original trilogy is without question superior (citing the poor dialogue, casting, and heavy use of CGI of the prequels as proof of their inferiority) this exhibit redeems the prequels as far as costume and design is concerned. Say what you will about the prequels, but you cannot deny that Padmé Amidala’s costumes throughout the film were spectacular. They become even more impressive when viewed up close, where every texture and stitch and embellishment is clearly immaculate. And the same can be said for the saga’s latest installment, returning to some of the classic designs of the original trilogy but retaining the intricacies and stylized nature of the prequels’ aesthetics. And even with the differences in all of these films, the costumes have provided a much needed continuity between them by using costume design to introduce and identify different alien races and cultures. And with the release of the newest installment, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, I will be delighted to see how this film will continue to use costume and design to add to the rich detail of world.

It may all take place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, but this fantastic exhibit allows visitors to experience Star Wars right here in Denver. And while I recognize that perhaps not everyone is a huge museum buff or maybe find the design elements of Star Wars to be the least fascinating aspect of the saga, I also firmly believe that anyone with even the slightest interest in Star Wars will find something to enjoy in this exhibit. Unless they’ve given into the Dark Side and even then, the Darth Vader and Darth Maul section might intrigue them.

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