Obi-Wan Kenobi Discusses Costume Design with Suttirat Anne Larlarb on The Art of Costume Podcast
Star Wars' Obi-Wan Kenobi Costume Designer Discusses Costumes for Hidden Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, Young Leia, and Inquisitor Armor
In an exclusive conversation, costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb, who worked on the new Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series, joined "The Art of Costume Podcast." Listeners can appreciate Larlarb's insights into the costumes for Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, a young Princess Leia, and the Inquisitor armor.
Obi-Wan's costume remains recognizable from the prequels but takes on a more desert-worn aesthetic to reflect his life in exile on Tatooine. Layers, distressing, and earthy tones are used to emphasize his years in hiding. The costume includes a functional belt and boots suitable for desert roaming. The design visually reflects Obi-Wan's transition from a polished Jedi Knight to a desert hermit living in obscurity.
The Darth Vader armor, while largely unchanged to preserve its iconic menacing silhouette, may incorporate updated materials for better mobility during action sequences. The podcast discusses the significance of making Vader's armor psychologically intimidating, something that may involve careful consideration of lighting, silhouette, and design to create an imposing presence.
In designing a child-sized costume for young Princess Leia, Larlarb opted for a playful adaptation of the white, flowing robes seen in the original films. The costume maintains Leia's signature hairstyle and white dress but features movement-friendly fabrics, capturing her feisty, headstrong personality while hinting at her royal lineage and future as a leader.
The Inquisitor armor is designed to be visually distinct from both Jedi and Sith, reflecting their role as relentless hunters for the Empire. The armor features layered black and gray panels with red accents, unique elements for each Inquisitor to express personality within their uniform ensemble, and an intimidating, militaristic appearance.
Throughout the costume designs, Larlarb emphasized the importance of respecting the Star Wars design legacy while making thoughtful updates for the series' new narrative and visual needs. All costumes were designed with actor movement and emotional impact in mind, balancing the story's needs and the performers' needs.
"The Art of Costume Podcast" delves into these discussions, providing valuable insights into the thought and craftsmanship behind the Obi-Wan Kenobi costumes. Listeners can catch the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and various podcast platforms.
The costume designer for the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series, Suttirat Anne Larlarb, discusses the costumes for the characters not only in movies-and-tv shows but specifically in the entertainment realm, including Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, young Princess Leia, and the Inquisitor armor, on "The Art of Costume Podcast." Larlarb's creative process for designing costumes that embody the characters' personalities and resonate with fans across movies-and-tv shows is insightfully explored in this podcast.
