A never ending, ever expanding void. What am I describing ? Space. This is what you see outside of your window on the interplanetary transport liner that you’re traveling on. You are entering the atmosphere of Mars and descending towards the landing pad. You see the other passengers lining in front of the exit doors of the ship and join them. The doors open and you get a glimpse of your new environment. Almost like Time Square in the middle of New York City but even more foreign because of the location. Signs advertising everything from alcohol, to the where to buy the best parts for your ships. Thousands of people walking in every direction. Those working for the ship's company and the Captains wearing skin tight suits made out of a high tech material with a pattern that resembles reptile skin. Other regular people wear varying outfits from college varsity jackets with their favorite team logos, jeans, trench coats, skirts, and combat boots. All people, and even new species of humanoid beings that are native to Mars who’ve adopted many of our styles, existing together and dressed in every possible way. Ships wizing above everyone taking off and landing all day long. This imaginary world that I am describing to you is considered a Science Fiction World, and you wouldn’t feel so familiar with it and be able to relate with it if certain details weren’t realistic or inspired by our real world like that of the fashions and trends of their people. Science Fiction and Fashion are directly connected and incredibly influential to each other in both the mainstream and avant garde world. Science fiction fashion not “only offers a viewpoint on where we think we’re going” - (zappos.com/blog/ - the_importance_of_science_fiction_fashion), and here and now, but also often speaks to the past as well. From it we can gain inspiration and ideas into what our fashion trends will develop into, but we also see how past ideas can be developed into entirely new things. Science Fiction Films are the best medium to gain these insights and I will be educating you on both the world of Science Fiction Fashion and the world of real world Fashion and how they influence each other and create conclusions on why this is important. We will explore how different Science Fiction films and their worlds have inspired trends in the real world and the development of new technologies that otherwise wouldn’t have existed. We will also gain insight on how real world clothing has inspired the filmmakers and helped them develop their visions. We will take a look at where both sides gain their inspiration from and how they develop their ideas based on their application. Finally we will look at what the future holds for both the Science Fiction fashion and real world fashion and technology. I hope I can open a whole new world of possibility for you on this journey through the a galaxy far far away.
The world of Science Fiction films in itself is like a sort of runway in that it presents a relatable fantasy that might be farfetched but is later used as inspiration for simpler fashion trends. Our first stop is the world of the Hollywood and Science Fiction films, and how they’ve influenced the world of Fashion. You can trace the history of Science Fiction Film as far back as 1902 with the classic (A Trip to the Moon). This movie introduced the idea of traveling to a foreign planetary body of land and encountering creatures different from humans who dressed oddly. There were many science fiction films after A Trip to the Moon that explored ideas and issues the world was facing in their eras but the aspect of fashion in these films didn’t change too much until the 1960’s. Focusing on films that involve space travel and fashions connected to that; it wasn’t until the release of 1968’s (2001: A space Odyssey) that the clear connection between Sci-fi and Fashion was created. Stanley Kubrick the films director broke the mold of what Science Fiction fashion would be when he “commissioned established London couturier and dressmaker to the Queen Hardy Amies to design the costumes” - (i-d.vice.com -the_ten_most_Fashionable_sci_fi_films_of_all_time) for his film. With an attention to detail, sensibility, and minimalist design that only a seasoned couturier designer could have, Amies changed the space-age look that prevailed at the time in Science Fiction films. He concepted and sketched designs for work suits and space travel suits, Pan Am uniforms, and streamlined men’s suits trying to simplify what before would have been ostentatious and out of this world. He created simplified modern versions of staples of clothing that everyone could relate too. The way he approached the costume design for A Space Odyssey and the film itself is regarded as a visual benchmark for all other Sci-fi films. His styling for A Space Odyssey has influenced the real world of Fashion even today. His streamlined and minimalist men’s suits of the film are connected to today’s Men’s fashion obsession with streamlined slim, and fitted suits. Every major brand in the industry is designing and selling these kind of suits and the first to do it was Amies because of a Sci-fi film concept. Amies ideas on what the fashion for A Space Odyssey were so perfect because they embodied the world they lived in so well. Although 2001: A Space Odyssey was a Sci-fi film it was one that had to be more realistic and adhere to real science and ideas that were inspired by the ideas by the likes of Einstein. They fit perfectly with the streamlined look of the ships, and technology of the film and world. Another example of a film or films that has influenced our real world fashion is the Star Wars Series. This film series presents a vastly technologically advanced world compared to our own with numerous species, planets, and factions co-existing, but it also lives hand in hand with ancient traditions of different cultures and religions. There were many different styles of clothing in Star Wars; from the Jedi’s in robes and draped fabrics that are inspired and fashioned after feudal samurai and reflect the look of kimono like garments, the Storm troopers in their white molded uniforms all exactly the same, to the black uniforms of the Empire elites, high ranking officers, Siths, and Darth Vader who resemble that of Nazi leaders in the 1940’s. Like the Jedi’s clothing that was influenced by the East, a memorable character Han Solo was inspired by the Wild West cowboy. Every aspect of the Star Wars films clothing; which is suppose to be a futuristic world, is influenced by the past. There's a saying that you can’t go forward without first looking back to see what came before. “Prior to Star Wars, sci-fi fell into “a couple of cliche futuristic costumes”... silver jumpsuits with diagonal stripes; skimpy, leg-bearing Greco-Roman warrior togas; or a spacey take on contemporary clothing.”- (Vanityfair.com_how_star_wars_changed_the_way_we_dress). Star wars drew inspiration from nontraditional sources compared to science fiction films that came before it. To connect the fashion ideas we see in Star Wars to our real world today you don’t have to look far far away. Search up Streetwear and you’ll probably be bombarded by images of models dressed in draping fabrics, baggy loose clothing, but still rocking basic fashion sneakers like Jordans. This trend is considered more High End Streetwear in reality but it’s still a trend today. Think of season one through three of celebrity music star turned fashion designer Kanye West and you will likely get the picture. Both earth tone and monochromatic color paletes for very simple draped clothing and some of it ripped and tattered resembling and basically stripped straight out of Star Wars. We also see it happening more and more in our active and sportswear. The baggy loose fitting sweaters, futuristic materials that can either keep us warm or help us cool off and whisk away moisture. Even Han Solo’s black bomber jacket from the Star Wars Series influences today’s fashion trends because bomber jackets have come back in full force. Aside from the high end fashions, because of how big Star Wars has become they’ve also reached every aspect of fashion and merchandised in every possible way which is to show the power that this genre holds.
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