ANH & ESB costume reasearch & replicas

[Robert A Fett]

Hi there

I'm late 30's, and have been a tailor in the industry for many years-
ANH & ESB are the very reason i went into motion picture costume.

This is why i've joined the RPF, to find other original trilogy fans, who are interested in seriously researching the exact details of the original ANH & ESB filming costumes.

I've been fortunate enough to work with John Mollo, twice, and i also used to work for the company that bought Bermans & Nathans, (and all their stock, including original Star Wars costumes) which i made certain to examine in person and document extensively.
In recent years it's been great for research, as the exhibition has been touring with several original trilogy costumes.

Another equally fantastic resource is all the original costume pieces that have surfaced in recent years, bieng sold through Christies, Bonhams, Profiles In History and The Propstore. These are great opportunities even if you have no intention to buy, as you can go to the sale viewings and take photos of the original costume, study them at length, and take copious notes on every detail- cloth, cut, construction, fastenings, finishing- (topstitching etc)
What's also cool is that if i can't make the actual sale (if i'm not in that country at the time) then the auction sites always have detailed photos of the pieces and limited descriptions -(though they're not always exact.)

With regards to replica costume- i'm hoping to meet fellow Star Wars fans in my area that i can collaborate with, to exchange information with and to make some of my favourite pieces to sell or display.
My interest is in researching the exact details of my favourite movie costumes, especially ANH & ESB. It's also because i would very nearly give my right nut to have cut and made the costumes for ANH & ESB. I guess researching every last detail of them allows me to experience some of that in understanding exactly how they were constructed.

Boy that makes me sound like a nerd!


BTW! Original R.A. Stephens Dosimeters (Imperial code cylinders) for sale on ebay right now, for £5.55 each! These are original items as used with the original costumes. I bought 4! I'm tempted to go and buy more-

 

[Martin-El]

Welcome!

Quite the introduction, can't wait to see the reaction
Here's your first curve-ball, and go easy on me for taking you outside the realms of the saga already (there are plenty here that will bring you right back)
Given your research and experience-

What do you know about the Christopher Reeve 'Superman' costume...?

 

[Boomer]

Thats one lengthy introduction. But welcome and enjoy your stay here on the RPF.

 

[RoCKo]

Welcome to the RPF, what a interesting read for the very first post! :thumbsup

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Welcome. Looking forward to see what you can contribute. :thumbsup

 

[CAndrewNelson]

"We would be honored if you would join us."

I'm fairly new here myself, but welcome aboard!

 

[Shiney]

Welcome

 

[vader71]

Welcome.
I am a Vader guy, and am always looking for better pieces. You could do well selling leather suits as there are few that are accurate.

 

[GINO]

It's always good to see more people who prefer to collect/recreate actual filming replicas.

 

[Darth Lars]

Welcome to the RPF!

Possibly the worst offence is the signature pleated sleeves- the MR jacket is not even pleated! Its just quilted and topstitched to simulate the effect of the original.

The "ribs" on the sleeves of the original yellow "ceremonial" jacket are pleated!? :eek

I knew they were pleated on the orange Snowspeeder pilot jacket. It has somtimes been an uphill battle to convince people in the Rebel Legion (Rebel counterpart to the 501st) that the jacket 1) is different from the ANH jacket and 2) that the sleeves are pleated.

 

[Trap Joe]

what a great introduction.

Welcome on this board!:love

Next to many others, I´m a Vader fan, who want´s the most autentic Vader replica possible. I´m hard working on a Vader display figure like this since 1994 - as you can see in my threads. I guess, I´m one of the very first private people, who had worked on an authentic Vader display for their own as a hobby, that consists casts from original parts.

I´m very interested to see your work!

 

[cayman shen]

Welcome to the boards! I'm really excited to see where this thread goes. I'm a big fan of the Luke ceremonial jacket, so thanks for some new insight into that. :thumbsup

 

[Robert A Fett]

Welcome!

Quite the introduction, can't wait to see the reaction
Here's your first curve-ball, and go easy on me for taking you outside the realms of the saga already (there are plenty here that will bring you right back)
Given your research and experience-

What do you know about the Christopher Reeve 'Superman' costume...?

Hi there- no problem! lol

The Superman and Supergirl costumes were made by one of the very best costume companies in the UK -Bermans & Nathans. Bermans also made the majority of principal costumes from ANH & ESB. And many, many other legendary movies...
Unfortunately they went out of business in the late 80's and were bought out by Angels- (including all stock costumes, yes, all the Superman and Supergirl suits and many Star Wars costumes!) but they've all been sold off in auctions in recent years- were where you?! You could have owned an original suit!
One of the best sites for a report on original Superman costumes is Original Prop Blog.

Up, up and away...

 

[Robert A Fett]

Hi there

i should also be sure to point out that my costume/prop interest isn't limited to just ANH & ESB! Just they are my main interest.

 

[Robert A Fett]

Thank you to everyone for the great welcome!

i just want to say that i certainly hope that i didn't offend anyone that may have bought any of the Museum Replicas costumes/props.
I just felt that fans were bieng given incorrect statements of fact by MR about the details of their products in comparison to the originals. I can list the differences for anyone who would like them. Thanks.