LeesieLikesLemons

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𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡

if you missed my previous ones, here they are:

summer meadow outfit

wedding outfit

my favorite padmé outfits

parade outfit

geonosis outfit

battle outfit

^ BTS of RotS funeral scene

yep! i am analyzing padmé’s funeral dress, otherwise know as the water gown. this scene in the movie is so emotional, and it is definitely with the help of this powerful ensemble.

after her death, padmé is escorted through the mourning crowds of naboo, her home. the floating casket, along with the flowing blue robes and carefully placed wildlife, create a sense of floating in water, hence the water gown.

pictures above are the design concepts for the water gown, done by the amazing ian mccaig. this piece was one of his favorites, quoting “this was my favorite painting that i’ve ever done for the whole prequel trilogy. i was there when padmé was born as a character, and now I was burying her. the flowers are tears”.

the beautiful natalie portman also loved this dress, as it reminded her of ophelia, a character in shakespeare’s hamlet. “it’s really, really beautiful. i think trisha (the designer) wanted to get an ocean sense. someone said to me that it was very ‘ophelia.’ with the flowers and the hair, it does look like i’m drowning.” both ophelia and padmé have a sadness about them, one that is represented throughout their clothes as well as their faces.

the material of the bodice is smocked, which was developed in england and fashionable during the middle ages, especially for middle class families. It was both fitting and flexible, making it useful for laborers. in this outfit, it is dyed different waves of blue, again looking for the oceanic feel. it is very finely smocked, with lots of layers to create a full skirt.

the skirt is made of silk organza, originated from china and traded along the silk road. the extremely thin fabric was created by spreading the silk to spider web thinness, and then dyed with an ombré effect of blues and purples.

the cloak is made from velvet fabric with a watery, ocean pattern. velvet was made popular in the victorian era, especially in cloaks and dresses. the dark hues of purple and blue, with the look of the sea at twilight.

throughout the cloak, dark, vintage sequins are sewn. they create a chameleon effect, meaning that the colors change as the dress moves downs. some areas, such as the collar and bands running down the cloak, yet again creating waves in the ensemble.

in her hair, padmé has star of bethlehem’s scattered, which represent innocence, purity, honesty, hope, and forgiveness, common themes associated with the kind padmé character. there are also strands of ribbon in her hair, with the same hues from the dress. the effect created by these flowers is truly beautiful.

finally, the metaphor of all of this look is so amazingly displayed. the sense of floating in water is a reminder of the lake in naboo, where anakin and padmé fell in love. anakin, at this point, is being reborn in fire as darth vader, while padmé returns to the lake where she was so very happy with the love of her life. chefs kiss, y’all.

what a beautifully designed and executed piece, worn perfectly by the beautiful natalie portman. such a moving scene and a perfect ending for the gorgeous padmé skywalker.