For fans who were not able to attend my Celebration Orlando panel in person, I will be posting the full slideshow and transcript online. Today’s post is part 8 of a 9 part series – stay tuned for a full video of my panel 🙂
You can read the previous panel topic segments here.
Part 8: Fan-Made Fashion
Where there is a gap in the market, fans are all too eager and skilled to fill it. In the past there has been very little women’s Star Wars fashion available on an ongoing basis – so fans have made their own. Sometimes this is due to availability in their country, and sometimes it is because the item simply doesn’t exist from any company.
The jappor snippet that Anakin gives Padmé is a perfect example of something has never been made as a licensed necklace. To me this is the perfect example of something from the prequels that should have been made years ago. After waiting and waiting I finally made my own and I can wear it with any outfit.
The Kyber Crystal necklace Jyn Erso wears in Rogue One is another example of a Star Wars accessory that fans have created themselves. Here is the ‘fashion’ version I made myself (check out the DIY here). While Kay jewelers did make two versions, these were ‘inspired by’, not accurate replicas and their price points were out of reach for many fans (especially the one with diamonds!). There is such a great range of Star Wars jewelry in the $5 to $50 range it is such a shame that these prominent necklace designs have never been made at a regular price (*update – these new necklaces are a cheap Kyber crystal inspired necklace option).
A very common method for fans to create their own fashion is by using licensed fabrics. From license fabrics available at sewing stores, to vintage bed-sheets (I personally prefer not to destroy vintage items) or cutting up men’s garments. I made this top a few years ago based on a top I already owned and the fabric is from men’s lounge pants. It is still frustrating to find fabulous Star Wars printed fabric used for the men’s items but not for women’s, so I have often bought the largest size men’s item to cut it apart for the fabric.
Much of the Star Wars printed fabric is quilting fabric so that tends to restrict what garment style you can use it for. I would love to see more stretch fabrics, and other fabric types available so that fans can create a wider variety of their own personal fashion.
Here are just a few examples of the amazing fan made fashion I spotted at the Celebration Anaheim convention in 2015. You can see some fantastic Queen Amidala inspired dresses – just a hint at what licensed companies could do.
Here are outfits inspired by an X-Wing pilot and Han Solo. I love seeing what friends create with their favorite costume inspiration blended with their own personal style.
This Hoth inspired skirt was intricately detailed and I loved the attention to details of this Boba Fett themed outfit, down to the Han in carbonite purse.
The very talented Elhoffer Design has been making great strides in the gaps left by licensed companies, like this Rey inspired vest set. It still surprises me that no licensed company has made a Rey ‘Resistance’ vest… it is such a popular costume and such a great simple garment style that can work with so many styles (*update – Her Universe has since previewed a Rey vest inspired design).
To be continued in Part 9: Favorite notable fashion items.
