Somehow "Star Wars" Nerds Took Over Fashion Week

How unlikely was it for the franchise to appear on two separate Fashion Week runways? Never tell us the odds.

Hollywood megastars always gravitate to Fashion Week shows around the globe, yet everyone was surprised to see some very recognizable, er, faces backstage at Preen’s Fall 2014 show in London: stormtroopers. Blaster rifles in hand, they stood among models who, in turn, marched down the runway in designs screenprinted with Darth Vader’s ominous helmet. Though camps are divided over the collection’s campy motif, designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi kept things looking sophisticated overall thanks to expertly tailored trousers, drop-waist dresses, and show-stopping coats.

Strangely enough, Thornton and Bregazzi weren’t the first designers to find their muse in Star Wars. Across the pond last week at New York Fashion Week, Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy paid tribute to the sci-fi saga with elegant gowns emblazoned with C-3PO, the Death Star, and the twin suns of Tatooine. Somehow, the franchise has momentarily jumped from T-shirts and backpacks to high fashion, and we were more than happy to nerd out on this surely fleeting trend. Here’s an ensemble that takes a slightly more subtle approach:

The Look

This color-blocked skirt mimics the flowing silhouettes seen at Preen, while the futuristic top (and the black-and-white color palette) pay homage to the stormtroopers’ distinctive armor. Besides adding a pop of color, the orange sandals are a subtle nod to the sandtroopers’ shoulder pauldrons. The Jedi-chic robe coat adds a layer of draped elegance, and yes, the Rebel Alliance earrings are bona fide Star Wars regalia.

1. Pleated color-block skirt; Whistles ($195)

2. Crop top; Intermix ($795)

3. Sandals; Tibi ($365)

4. Robe coat; La Garçonne ($175)

5. Satchel; Francesca’s ($58)

6. Star Wars Rebel Alliance earrings; Her Universe ($25)