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Lot #404: STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE (1977) - Princess Leia's (Carrie Fisher) Screen-Matched

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Props Start Price:500,000.00 USD Estimated At:1,000,000.00 - 2,000,000.00 USD
Lot #404: STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE (1977) - Princess Leia's (Carrie Fisher) Screen-Matched
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STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE (1977) - Princess Leia's (Carrie Fisher) Screen-Matched Ceremonial Dress - Princess Leia's (Carrie Fisher) original screen-matched ceremonial dress conceived by legendary costume designer John Mollo for George Lucas' Star Wars: A New Hope. Leia donned her gown during the film's final scene in the throne room where she graciously bestowed Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) with their well-earned medals of honor. This historically significant piece is the only Princess Leia costume known to still exist from the original film.

The regal costume is symbolic of the princess' royal lineage and commanding presence. Like Leia's hooded dress from the film, the ceremonial gown was again crafted completely in white fabric. This was a deliberate choice on the part of creator Lucas to signify the purity and beauty of Leia's character. As Lucas wrote in the final scene of the film's original screenplay, "Luke, Threepio, Han and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the beautiful young Senator Leia. Leia is dressed in a long, white dress and is staggeringly beautiful."

Deborah Nadoolman Landis, former president of the motion picture Costume Designers Guild (CDG) and author of six books on the subject, points to the romantic, medieval style of the gown as a look that further solidifies Leia's rightful place as a leading character in the timeless epic. "If Luke's quest has been compared to King Arthur's, then Princess Leia is our Guinevere. With her crown of braided hair, Leia's romantic gown harkens back to Camelot with its glamorous long-hanging sleeves, narrow silhouette, and silver-armored girdle. Unmistakably Leia, it pairs perfectly with the high-necked white gown that serves the Alliance in the rest of the film. The simplicity and brilliance of John Mollo's costumes have staked a place in the iconography of costume design," Landis said.

Beyond its film use, the dress features on Star Wars posters including the original Style A one-sheet by Tom Jung and the Hildebrandts' artwork for the UK Quad. Fisher was shot by photographer David Steen for publicity photos in the dress, which were used as reference for these posters and have also been published in various other media.

Slightly more form-fitting and detailed than the costume she wore earlier in the film, this ceremonial dress is made from a cream lightweight silk fabric and includes intricate draping. It was fabricated by leading costume house Bermans and Nathans in conjunction with a French dressmaker. The costume features a hidden zipper along its side as well as hook-and-eye fasteners on the white shoulder. Unlike Leia's more conservative dress with a turtleneck collar, the ceremonial gown is distinguished by its empire-waist bodice, lower-cut neckline and unique integral sleeve drapery, all of which helped earn Mollo an Oscar& reg; for Best Costume Design for Star Wars at the 50th annual Academy Awards in March 1978.

Once believed to no longer be in existence, this dress was stored for many years in a London attic. Upon its rediscovery, a meticulous, museum-caliber restoration was conducted by professional textile conservators in London. Over an eight-month period, the dress was thoroughly cleaned by hand to remove years of dust and dirt that had accumulated while in storage. The original structure of the garment was restored with archival precision. A conservation-grade gauze was adhered to the fabric in the most fragile areas, and tiny holes were infilled using the gauze as a base. The hem was restored in full and open seams were re-stitched. All work was carried out to top archival standards and is therefore fully reversible.

Costume designer Mollo stated later that he believed only a single ceremonial dress was created for the film, and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. Details in the stitching of the dress, unique wrinkles and folds in the leather of the belt, and scratches on the belt's plates screen-match to the film and photo-match to publicity stills.

The dress is presented on a custom-made mannequin and is complete with the original belt, which is backed with a neutral material to prevent it from wearing on the dress while displayed. Also included are printed copies of contact sheets featuring David Steen's publicity photos of Fisher in the dress and the filming of the throne room scene.

The significance of the original Princess Leia Ceremonial Dress cannot be overstated. Considered globally to be a touchstone of modern entertainment, Star Wars: A New Hope has inspired generations worldwide. With the Star Wars IP now in the care of Disney, one of the world's top-entertainment companies, the characters and stories will undoubtedly be part of global culture for decades to come.

Like the film, Carrie Fisher is also considered a Hollywood mainstay. In her varied career, Fisher was nominated for an Emmy& reg;, a Grammy& reg;, a BAFTA& reg;, and a Saturn Award& reg;. As the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, she is a cornerstone of American film history and forever linked to her most memorable character, Princess Leia. Fisher's sad passing in late 2016 brought a global outpouring of love from her fans. The 2017 Star Wars film The Last Jedi was dedicated to Fisher's memory, and she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.

Estimate: $100,000 - 200,000

Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, June 28th. The auction will begin at 8:00AM PDT and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, June 29th or Friday, June 30th.