Star Wars Style Secrets: Padmé’s Outfits Inspired by Earth’s History and Art!

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Padmé Amidala stands out as the most stylish character in the Star Wars galaxy. Her distinctive wardrobe has inspired countless cosplays, merchandise, and fan art, all thanks to Trisha Biggar, who was the costume designer for the prequel trilogy. The elaborate, vibrant costumes worn by Padmé in the Star Wars prequels provided a striking contrast to the uniformity of the Empire when she first appeared in The Phantom Menace. However, you might be surprised to learn that the fashion inspiration for this alien-seeming wardrobe comes from our own world.

Specifically, three costumes stand out, as they draw inspiration from various cultural attire, historical eras, and art-related themes, showcasing Biggar’s allusions.

1) The Throne Room Gown From Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

In the opening scene of “Phantom Menace,” the striking, attention-grabbing dress that Padmé, also known as Queen Amidala, donned was not only her initial costume in the film but has come to be most closely linked with her character. The vibrant red gown, contrasted by a white face and trimmed with fur, is now an enduring symbol of the Queen of Naboo. Biggar drew inspiration for this design from ancient and imperial China, where red – a color signifying luck and prosperity – is often celebrated, but is traditionally avoided at funerals. Additionally, the elaborate embroidery and the voluminous neck frill with standing color on Queen Amidala’s gown evoke styles popular during the Qing Dynasty.


In this portrayal, Amidala’s intricate hairstyle and makeup bear a striking resemblance to ancient Chinese beauty customs from around 700 AD. The ornate design of her queenly headdress seems to pay homage to an old Chinese tradition where jewelry was incorporated into elaborate hairstyles known as elbraotes, popular during the Tang Dynasty.


Additionally, Biggar found inspiration during this era to design Amidala’s makeup. He adapted the traditional white face paint accentuated by intricate, symbolic red lipstick markings and fashioned a unique version suitable for the noble Naboo people.

2) The Gold Travel Costume From Attack of the Clones

In the movie “Attack of the Clones,” costume designer Biggar took design cues from the traditional attire of Russia’s imperial era for Padmé’s costume. As Padmé, now part of the galactic senate, journeys with Anakin from Coruscant to her home planet Naboo, she wears another elaborate and eye-catching gown. Biggar aimed to make this dress worn by Padmé resemble a grand Russian ball gown.


When compared to the photographs of Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna and Princess Orlova-Davydova wearing traditional 17th-century Russian attire at masquerade balls in 1903, this costume almost seamlessly matches. It appears that Biggar successfully replicated her design intention. The helmet-like headpiece worn by Padmé bears a striking similarity to the more intricate headpieces donned by the Russian royals, but it is smaller and less ornate.

The intricate stitching on both Padme’s and the Grand Duchess’s dresses share striking similarities – not just in design but also in the way the fabrics are arranged on them. Both outfits boast embellishments around their necks and shoulders, feature capes, and showcase patterns that run along the central part of their gowns.

3) The Water Funeral Gown From Revenge of the Sith

The farewell for this costume, which resembles the attire worn by deceased Padmé during her Naboo funeral in Revenge of the Sith, drew inspiration from William Shakespeare’s renowned play, Hamlet.

In the well-known play Hamlet, Ophelia tragically drowns after slipping into a stream while crafting a floral wreath on a willow tree. The resemblance becomes clear as Padmé seems to be floating in water, wrapped in flowing green and blue material. The abundance of flowers nearby lends an otherworldly atmosphere and evokes the scene of Ophelia’s final moments before her demise.

It appears that Biggar and the costume designers for “Revenge of the Sith” may have taken inspiration directly from Sir John Everett Millais’s renowned painting, “Ophelia,” in creating Padmé’s final scene.

In the same vein as Millais’ painting of Ophelia and the character Padmé from Star Wars, both are depicted in diaphanous attire, seemingly drifting amidst the water and carefully positioned flora. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare for this aspect of the Skywalker saga, as both Ophelia and Padmé had fateful relationships with tragic heroes. This contrasts significantly with Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader through fiery, tumultuous destruction, whereas Padmé meets her end in a tranquil, water-based tableau.

It’s generally thought that the outfits worn by Padmé Amidala are elaborate, otherworldly designs from a distant galaxy. However, in truth, these intricate garments reveal just as much about Earth and Naboo as they do about the galaxy far, far away.

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2025-05-12 03:49