Custom-Built Darth Vader Armor Gives The Dark Side A Splash Of Color
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Darth Vader’s imposing black armor is rightfully iconic, cutting one of the most instantly recognizable silhouettes in pop culture history and just generally looking so badass that you can almost forget Lucas sullying it with Hayden Christensen’s whiny ass. Still, you have to think he’s got more than one outfit. You’ve got to peel that shit off every few weeks just to hose the burned-meat smell out of it and throw in some baby powder. I’m envisioning a walk-in closet on the Death Star filled with identical black get-ups, but surely Vader’s got some other options mixed in there too. Maybe something with a splash of color, like this:
That gorgeous get-up was custom built by the artisans at Prince Armory. The detail work on the leather armor is stunning, and the overall style looks like something from the Renaissance. I could see Ezio Auditore da Firenze slipping into this number before neck-stabbing corrupt Venetian aristocrats.
The helmet also reminds me of Ralph McQuarrie’s early Vader designs, but also has a more insect-like quality that reminds me of the Gaim helmets from Babylon 5 (and the Sandman material that inspired them).
You can see more pics, including a few “work in progress” shots below. And for all you Star Wars cosplayers out there, the bar has been raised.
