By: Callie Gao
A dress worn by Carrie Fisher, an actress who played Star Wars’ Princess Leia in the 1977 film A New Hope, failed to meet the seller’s expectations. It was for sale at the Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles. The seller had been hoping this gown would bring in $1.96 million, but instead, its final bid was $975,000.
“This historically significant piece is the only Princess Leia costume known to still exist from the original film,” Propstore noted in its auction lot description.
In the 1977 film Episode IV, the gown appears in the final scene where Princess Leia hands out medals to characters Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. The iconic dress is the main focus of the scene and the final object seen until the director’s credits are shown. It’s equivalent to a final bow on stage. Brandon Alinger, the chief operating officer of the Propstore, says, “The dress is a real relic. It’s an absolute piece of film history… When Star Wars fans see it, they stop in their tracks, they gasp a bit at the sight of it, because they recognize the significance of it.”
The gown is referred to as Princess Leia’s ceremonial gown. It is in her signature color, white, and has a scooped neckline and empire waist. But it has less space for the garments Leia wears most of the time.
The dress was originally thought to be destroyed alongside other original sets, but was later found in a London attic. Apparently, a crew member had taken the dress and placed it in an attic, saving it from its fate. “It was 10 or 12 years ago that we first became aware of the piece… it was such a moment when we first learned of this and then, ultimately, when the Star Wars fandom learned that this piece existed,” says Alinger.
When the garment was found, it took eight months to remove the dust collected on the gown and small holes that were decorated on the fabric. Hems and seams were added to the dress to allow the person wearing the dress to fit into the gown.
For now, the auction is still accepting offers for the dress. “It may be sold after the auction in a private-treaty sale, or may be re-offered again in a future auction,” the company says.
Sites:
-https://www.dw.com/en/star-wars-princess-leia-gown-fails-to-sell-at-auction/a-66064436