Fashion: Padmé Dress

Padmé Amidala is one of the most emblematic female characters in the Star Wars universe.

Her multifaceted roles encompassed: Queen of Naboo, Galactic Senator, wife to possibly the franchise’s most notable protagonist (and antagonist), and mother to the twin heroes that commenced the Skywalker legacy more than 40 years ago.

And Padmé did it all with flair—securing the unofficial title of fashion icon via a massive array of over-the-top dresses, accessories, make-up and hairstyles.

“George [Lucas] said that this film is definitely a costume drama, especially for the queen,” said Iain McCaig, concept designer for Episode I: The Phantom Menace in a behind-the-scenes video called Costume Drama.

From Lucas the responsibility turned to McCaig and then Scottish costume designer Trisha Biggar—who brought all the concepts to life. According to Jacob Oller (The Craft of Costumes: Star Wars and Clothing), she created 68 unique outfits for Padmé over the course of the three prequel films.

And then E.K. Johnston’s book Queen’s Shadow provided us more in-depth details regarding the expert functional design that went into each fashion decision for the Queen and her handmaidens.

Every outfit and overall costume played a specific role for each scene’s plot—shrewdly planned by Padmé and her closest advisors and friends. The craftsmanship and exact design were carefully thought out and engineered to protect the wearer from blaster fire, provide hidden hatches when needed for quick movement and escape, concealed recording devices, and most notably; creating distraction when the queen’s decoys stepped into her role.

It is difficult to choose a single outfit as my favorite, but one definitely stands out as the most intriguing and regal—the Galactic Senate dress from Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

An elaborate, multi-layered ensemble, with a headpiece to rival the gown—it seemed to be a character in and of itself. This dress’ aesthetic is as grand as the task Amidala carried out in its corresponding scene—addressing and pleading with the Republic Senate. Amidala’s gown was tailored to the importance of both the occasion and the delegates she was addressing—in addition to showcasing the majesty of Naboo.

The Galactic Senate dress consists of three intricate layers, each designed by the Lucasfilm costume design team to produce the extraordinary visual results needed for the scene.

1. Underdress: The foundation of Padmé’s ensemble is an orange-gold taffeta silk gown. It is fashioned with layers of sunray-pleated panels and an antique lace beading elaborately sewn into the pleats—designed to catch the light upon the queen’s movements.
2. Inner Robe: Building on the base of the underdress, Padmé then added a crimson, silk-velvet robe with bronze metallic embroidery. The collar and cuffs’ lining are constructed of metallic gold organza and silk taffeta, with seed pearls overlaying the trapunto stitched braids—designed to give depth and make onlookers uncertain of what is under the dress.
3. Outerwear: The outermost layer of fabric is a faux fur outer robe—only used when addressing the senate—created to give the queen’s small frame and stature a grander appearance.
4. Headpiece: The outfit would not be complete without the memorable headpiece. A fitted gold-plated cap, encrusted in ruby jewels and filigree detail. The base binding her hair into horn-like arches, adorned with gold hairbands. The ends of her hair are clasped by suspending tubular ornaments. Completing the headdress, the Royal Sovereign of Naboo medal resting directly above the queen’s face, above her head.
   Queen Amidala’s costume creates a dramatic effect—capable of mesmerizing a crowd or maybe distracting a fellow political player—as she uses her keen senses to scout the room and its inhabitants.

Biggar described the importance of having to accentuate the regality of this scene’s costume. She revealed that the design of the dress and headpiece were directly influenced by traditional Mongolian wedding and ceremonial dress, in order to meet the need for such spectacularism.

Queen Amidala’s wardrobe—and especially this dress—leaves no doubt who she is and the power she wields in a galaxy far, far away.

Check the links below for more information about the costumes and fashion of Star Wars:

• Couture de Force
• Star Wars: Dressing a Galaxy
• 6 Things you Might not Know About the Prequel Trilogy Costumes
• Force of Fashion: Queen Amidala’s Throne Room Ensemble