Star Wars and the Power of Costume Exhibition Tour

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away … I'm just kidding. It was actually this past Monday, and in New York City, that I traveled to Discovery Times Square to check out the Star Wars and the Power of Costume Exhibition!

Once inside the cockpit-styled foyer, I was asked to take a seat for the viewing of a brief introductory video meant to tease what lay beyond the cargo-bay doors, off to my left. As the lights dimmed, the familiar melody of the Star Wars theme boomed from an assortment of speakers in every direction. With the music setting the mood, a narrator professed his admiration for the men and women whose creative efforts have made the Star Wars universe such a legendary success.

The video then went on to focus primarily on the franchise's costume designers, and emphasize just how important their roles were in drafting and fabricating the iconic looks of so many timeless characters. As the video concluded and the lights returned to their initial luminosity, a staff member of the exhibit laboriously pulled the painted-to-look-metallic cargo bay door aside, and urged me to walk through and discover the rest of the exhibit.

It's with an enthusiastic thumbs up that I tell you this exhibition delivers the goods, both in terms of presentation as well as authenticity. You won't find any replicas or unlicensed materials here, folks. As I made my way through the various rooms, it was obvious that each display was strategically placed so as to utilize every last inch of available space. With yet more familiar tunes from the Star Wars saga playing overhead, I was able to get up-close-and-personal with well-over 70 costumes and props. Whether you're a fan of Queen Amadala's ornate head-dresses, Obi-Wan Kenobi's stylish earth-toned robes, or the outfit Princess Leia wore while strangling Jabba the Hut, this exhibit has got all of that and more!

As someone who's very much into costuming, as well as the creative process by which these outfits are created, it was a real treat to be just inches away from the Emperor's midnight-colored flowing robes, the inter-mingling browns of a wookie's fur coat, and the mirror-polish of a Stormtrooper's combat gear. For fans of the Star Wars universe, the force is strong with this exhibit. Not only did it get me even more pumped to check out the new movie later this week, it also served to remind me of just how much talent and creativity went into stylizing and dressing the characters of one of the most beloved science fiction franchises ever.

So without further ado, please feel free to enjoy our photo gallery, featuring much of what was on display at the Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibition – and may the force be with you, always!