#in which i dont shut up about historical fashion design

Star Wars Culture Week – Day 1 – Fashion

I had been planning this piece for a long while ever since I saw the Satine Kryze redesign by @nibeul​ months back (love it!!), it had reminded me of an old idea I had years ago. Felt this week would be a good time to revisit the concept, just had to put a hold on it because family things came up.

I talk a little more on my process below.

I chose the Meiji Era to have historical basis on the dress since I felt that this era marked a lot of changes and the end of cultural traditions that mirrors a little of what was happening with Mandalore, especially under Satine’s rule. For Japan, The Meiji Era marked the end of the age of Samurai. In a way, I see Satine’s rule also marking the end of the age of the Mandalorian warriors. That isn’t to say they would die out completely, but their glory days were over.

I used Toyohara Chikanobu’s paintings as a reference to a lot of the clothing in that time period – specifically using his Aristocrats Enjoying the Summer Coolasreference. His paintings contain a lot of historical glimpses to the not very well known Western inspired Victorian bustle dresses that a lot of the noblewomen of the time fashioned and worn. It’s actually beautiful to look through! Imagine Victorian bustles but with kimono designs and vibrant silks!

Also, a note about the makeup. Late Meiji Era with the Western influence also began the introduction of skin colored makeup, so it was around this time that the usual white paint was falling out of fashion. I also added color accents to forward what Chikanobu did for a lot of his portraits of women, though utilized the teal instead.