Page 69 - Star Wars Insider #175

ANOVOS COSTUMES

“When that was gone,” says Morgan,
“we had to mill it ourselves and we got
as close as anybody can get.”
But a fan wearing a costume for
hours at a time needs to know that
their look is going to be able to last
the convention circuit. So where
an impractical fabric has been used
for short-term effect on screen, an
alternative must be found for the
real world.
A good example is stormtrooper

armor. The outfits used at Pinewood
Studios for Rogue One were very heavy.
ANOVOS’ equivalent stormtrooper
armor looks the same, but is made from
vacuum-formed ABS plastic, which
keeps it light and functional.
01 02
Ready to roll
Once the Archives have been raided products as neat and 01 More of a Luke
and the materials chosen, ANOVOS clean as possible, than Han fan?
Here’s a
produces a prototype, which has to but some of our detailed

be approved by Lucasfilm. When the “ helmets and props replica of his
company gets the green light, it creates are intentionally Bespin outfit.
two master versions of the piece, I love talking scratched and 02 Got $2,750.00
mirroring exactly how the fi nished to everybody weathered. We have to spare? You
product should look. One of these is to keep a close eye on could treat
yourself to this
sent to the factory as the basis for the and seeing what the samples we get full Darth
full production run, and the other is they’re doing back from the factory Vader outfit.
retained by ANOVOS as a reference for to make sure the
comparing test samples. with our stuff. manufacturer hasn’t turned random
“Quality control is our biggest nicks into a regular pattern or
challenge,” Morgan admits, with ” eliminated them altogether!”
regard to working with third- If ANOVOS is happy with the
party manufacturers. “Any factory samples it receives, they are passed on

instinctively wants to make its to Lucasfilm for final approval, along
with the packaging. The product is only
declared ready to ship after rigorous
First with the First Order checks and safety tests.
How ANOVOS and the 501st Legion conquered Star Wars Celebration This attention to detail sees its
dividend at conventions and other
The design for the First Order approval to make the armor complete. The speed at which events, where many fans come clad in
stormtroopers was one of the at the end of December 2014, the 501st were able to build

fi rst elements of The Force and had until April 2015 for the kit parts was astounding. ANOVOS gear, confident that they both
Awakens to be revealed to the costumes to be complete. “Lucasfi lm was very look the part and are comfortable.
fans. ANOVOS played a When ANOVOS realized gracious and gave us a lot of “I really like doing conventions,”
special role in bringing the it was unrealistic to make reference to work with. This
new look to life at Star Wars entirely completed outfi ts thing had to look spot on, so Morgan says with a smile. “I love talking
Celebration in 2015 when a for that deadline, they they provided us with all the to everybody and seeing what they’re
unit of First Order troopers involved fan organization materials possible, including doing with our stuff. Lots of people in
joined J.J. Abrams and the 501st Legion. Around a lot of the parts that were ANOVOS gear come by to say hi.
Kathleen Kennedy on stage as 40 of its members stepped engineered for the original
they presented the fi rst trailer in to assemble and wear production. “ “They appreciate the efforts we go
for the fi lm. do-it-yourself kit versions of The Celebration event to and they always want to know what
Though the Celebration the armor, which were quicker was a resounding success, we’re doing next. For our part, we love
audience could never have and easier to produce. and the participants will
guessed, the troopers were all “In order for us to be forever have the distinction of to see people enjoying our stuff in the
wearing ANOVOS gear, and ready, it just had to be being the original First Order wild, so it’s a really neat relationship.”
in order to get them ready for part completed, part kit stormtroopers in the 501st.
the event, the company had costumes,” says ANOVOS Their numbers have only Keep up with the latest releases from
needed to move faster than founder and owner Joe grown since then, of course,
the Millennium Falcon on the Salcedo. “The body was the thanks in large part to the full ANOVOS at anovos.com and on
Kessel Run. They received kit part, and the helmets were public launch of ANOVOS’ kit! Twitter and Instagram @ANOVOS

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