All Photos By Gail Except Where Noted (Click on Any Image to Enlarge for Detail)

Hey what’s up? Today we are having our first official snowfall here in NYC, and it is lovely, but mostly it makes you start pondering how are we going to get through the winter months, and still have fun, without leaving the house. If you are looking for ideas of fun outings you can take in the borough of Manhattan that involve indoor activities, and which are all pretty close to public transportation (i.e. limiting required outside time) then you should plan to head over to the Discovery Center in Times Square for the Star Wars and the Power of the Costume Exhibition, which is just outstanding.

Each Section of the Exhibit Leads With a Poster Like This, Which Indicates the Theme of the Costumes You Are About to See

Perhaps you are thinking that you have not seen all of the Star Wars films, and won’t have fun because you don’t know all of the specific minutia of the backstory for each character that wore a particular costume, so I am here to tell you that it does not matter. All you need is a loose grasp of the franchise and the names of a few main characters and you’ll be good to go, because there is such clear and compelling narrative that follows each display. I learned so much and was so intrigued that it made me want go back and see the films I haven’t seen yet. Even the ones everyone whines about.

Let’s get to the costumes!

Jedi Robe of Anikan Skywalker and Gown of Queen Padme Amidala from Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (Photo Credit: Geoffrey Dicker)

The exhibit galleries are scattered with quotes like the one above, from Director George Lucas, and others who worked on the costumes, which add a new dimension of understanding to what “The Power of the Costume” means.

The Jedi Vs Sith Gallery has interactive features and also the best lighting of any gallery, which is helpful, because flash photography is not allowed.

Darth Maul, what a badass.

Robe worn by adult Luke Skywalker next to child costume of the young Anakin Skywalker, the future Darth Vader. Heavy.

The Droids have one small gallery.

Early Sketch for C-3P0, Which was Modeled on the Robot in Fritz Lang’s Silent Film, Metropolis

C-3PO, BB-8 and R2-D2

Princess Leia Robe, and Padme Amidala Pre-Senate Robe, Which was Modeled After the Japanese Kimono

The Entourage!

The Phantom Menace costumes were inspired by the art of the Pre-Raphaelites — 19th Century English painters – who had particular visions of heroines and female beauty. The use of rich color influenced the fashions of Padme’s handmaidens and the citizens of Naboo.

The Yellow Throne Room Costume (above) included a hood, constructed to extend out and create deep shadows, used to hide the faces of the handmaidens and give them a sense of mystery. This also enabled Padme to travel in disguise as one of the group.

The elaborate costumes of the first three episodes generally serve to emphasize the point that, once The Empire falls to The Dark Side, fashion goes out the window.

Imperial Navy Uniform

Few costume designs in the history of film are as iconic as the Imperial Stormtroopers. This “Spooky White Space Armour” was inspired by designer Ralph McQuarrie’s knowledge of medieval armor.

This is a mirrored room filled with suspended Stormtrooper Helmets. Very cool and super hard to photograph!

Assorted Light Sabers

Senator Amidala, Chancellor’s Office Gown

Robe of Emperor Palpatine

There is a deeply fascinating backstory on the de-volution of Senator/Emperor Palpatine that accompanies several of the costumes worn by actor Ian McDiarmid.

Costumes of Jango and Boba Fett

Tusken Raider Female and Male Costumes

Princess Leia Boushh Bounty Hunter and Slave Bikini

Truth: the famous Leia Slave Bikini looks very jenky up-close. I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable it was to wear (look out for Carrie Fisher’s hilarious quotes to that effect, somewhere in the display narrative).

Chewbacca the Wookie, and Han Solo

There is no argument that actress Natalie Portman got to wear the best costumes of any character. Padme Amidala’s clothes are simply stunning.

Padme Tatooine Homestead Dress

Padme Meadow Picnic Dress

Padme Twilight Nightgown

This the costume Padme is wearing when the audience first sees that she is pregnant with Luke and Leia.

Padme Lake Retreat Arrival Dress

Padme Geonosis Arena Costume, and Naboo Starfighter Pilot Costume

Anakin and Padme Wedding Scene

Padme’s Funeral Gown

There is no question that Padme Amidala stole Darth Vader’s thunder in the costume department, but as we all know, he got the last laugh.

Darth Vader Costume

Geoffrey and I visited the exhibition at 6 PM on a Saturday, when attendance was sparse  (read: it’s a good time to go, as the exhibit is open on Saturdays until 9:00 PM).  A highlight of our time there was when we overheard one of the exhibit attendants excitedly tell another attendant that a guest was “on her knees, fully worshiping the Darth Vader Costume.” Hilarious.

Darth Shadows– HAHA!

The final gallery of the exhibition is dedicated the latest episode in the franchise, The Force Awakens, which I saw over the Christmas holidays, and just loved.

First Order Stormtrooper, First Order Tie Fighter Pilot, First Order Snowtrooper Costumes

Costumes Worn By Finn, Ray and Poe

After having all kinds of crazy fun, it was time to Exit Through the Gift Shop and ogle the vast bounty of Star Wars swag available for purchase!

A Little Boba Time T Shirt

“I Woke Up Like This” Darth Vader T Shirt

If only this shirt had come with long sleeves, they would have made an easy sale.

Backpacks and Lunch Sacks For The Kids!

Darth Vader Bobble Head

And for the truly lonely, Actual-Size Cardboard Character Stand Ups!

Get More Information on Star Wars and The Power of the Costume Exhibition and the Discovery Center Times Square, Including Address and Directions, Hours, and Purchase Tickets Blah Blah Blah, at This Link!