If you’ve been living in an underground bunker for the last few months, then you might not be aware of the release of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens. To celebrate this exciting launch, Bloomingdale’s and Disney Consumer Products have joined forces with world class designers, creating the “Force 4 Fashion” label to raise funds for Child Mind Institute.
“This collaboration celebrates the synergy between films and fashion in the run up an exceptional moment in the history of pop culture.” – Â Leslie Ferraro co-chair, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media and President, Disney Consumer Products.
The amazing line up of collaborating designers include Billy Reid, Cynthia, Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Giles Deacon, Halston, Opening Ceremony, Ovadia & Sons, Parker, Rag & Bone Timo Weiland and Todd Snyder for the fashion-meets-fundraising initiative. These fashion epochal have used the film’s costume designer Michael Kaplan as an inspiration to create unique looks from each of the notable characters from the film.
Kay Jewelers, revealed the iconic pieces in New York City on December 2 at the “Force 4 Fashion” launch event. The following day, the outfits were put on display at the NYC Bloomingdale’s flagship windows.
“Bloomingdale’s is thrilled to join forces with such historic yet continually ground breaking film.” – Anne Keating
Anne Keating, Bloomingdale’s Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Special Events and Philanthropy has also noted that, “We are excited to fuse fashion with pop culture to raise awareness and funds for our long standing partner, Child Mind Institute which has been a pioneer for children’s mental health.”
The outfits ranged from Chewbacca-esque, shaggy coat by Todd Snyder to Stormtrooper jumpsuit by Parker. Inspiration for other unique outfits were also sourced from new characters including BB-8, Finn, Rey and Kylo Ren. The pieces that stood out from this collaboration were Todd Snyder’s and Billy Reid’s Chewbacca inspired shaggy coats and Ovadia & Sons Stormtrooper armour. Outfits inspired from older character were more favoured, but outfits inspired from the new characters including Captain Phasma and Rey also managed to hold their own pedestal with their sartorial style pieces.
THE ICONIC PIECESÂ
“This look is really a celebration of strength and beauty which is perfect for Rey” – Diane von Furstenberg
 I wanted to show the intervening of power and emotion- we know Kylo Ren won’t be just to be a one-note villain. The dress evokes strength, but also lays bare her vulnerability with sheer panels across her shoulders and back. The headpiece, like a mask, draws you in, but  keeps identity elusive- Desinger and CCO, Marie Mazelis
“Lucasfilm has always pushed boundaries of creativity, especially in costume  design. BB-8 takes droids to the next level!” – Cynthia Rowley
“We chose Finn because we wanted to explore his adventurous character. We love the idea of combining functionality with fantasy and creating something for Finn that could easily translate to every day wear.” – Timo Weiland
“The dress I have created for the “Force for Change” charity event is a long sleeved double georgette gown with an all over print inspired by Gwendoline Christie’s character Captain Phasma, it has been great fun designing the dress whilst helping to support the Child Mind Institute.” – Giles Deacon
“We imagined what Captain Phasma would wear out of her Stormtrooper uniform. We wanted to glam her up but still keep her looking fierce. Our design was inspired by ancient tribal warriors.” – Parker Team
“For  Kylo Ren, we envisoned what he would wear walking the streets of Meatpacking district.”
“Rey is a classic Rag & Bone girl. She’s beautiful and feminine with an urban, tomboy edge. That made it easy to translate her look from the film costume into fashion.”- David Neville
“When we found the skin, which was before we were even approached for the Star Wars project, we had already nicknamed the skin Chewbacca. So when we were asked to participate, Chewbacca was obviously our first choice of character to create a look around.”- Billy ReidÂ
“The costume from Star Wars are fantastical but also we researched and seem relatable to those of us in this galaxy. Many of the costume in the movies look clearly adpated from the military uniforms, such as the parkas…I took my basic inspiriation from those parks and thought that parka made of “wookie fur” would give it a absurd twist….In the end I’ve aspired to make a piece that I hope could fit equally well into the epic sci-fi mythology of Star Wars movie, or a New York street in January.”- Todd Snyder
“We studied the Snowtroopers, Stormtroopers and Flametroopers and incorporated different element from each. The design is conceptual and we tailored the garment to mimic the intricate seams, panels and weapons. It’s a futuristic and dramatic design that was fun to work on.”- Ariel & Shimon Ovadia
          “We created a 2015 (female) update to the classic Stormtrooper get-up.”- Opening Ceremony
The auctioning of the iconic outfits are from December 2-18 through Bloomingdale’s on CharityBuzz, on behalf of the charitable initiative Star Wars: Force For Change  that is inspiring people to make a positive impact on the world around them.
