Mom (Kathleen) and Dad (Dave) admitted to buying their Leia and Han costumes for Celebration V, but Franki's Asohka and Anthony's Anakin are both DIY projects. Image: John Booth
There are some seriously incredible costumes on display here at Star Wars Celebration V, and more than a few kids who’ve donned armor or cloaks or head-tails which are made all the more impressive because they show off ingenuity and family involvement.
Jacksonville dad Andy Escobar (who’s been a sandtrooper, a Tusken Raider and Darth Vader and crafted biker scout and Galactic Marine costumes for his wife) told me that he’s also recently made a Jawa costume from the ground up for his 6-year-old daughter Lina, and he knows of a few Imperial-focused costume makers who have stepped into the kid-sized arena, too.
On the other side of the conflict, there’s Ryan Soldati of New Jersey, here with his dad Mark and taking in the convention in the uniform of a Rebel Alliance soldier:
Ryan (at right) did his research first, then enlisted family help for his Rebel Soldier costume. Image: John Booth
“We were very surprised at how authentic he wanted this costume,” Ryan’s dad Mark said. “This wasn’t something he threw together.”
It took Ryan about a month to study costume examples online and compare what he wanted with screenshots from the original 1977 Star Wars and then turn those plans into reality with the assistance of his parents and extended family.
As someone who’s best attempt at a Ghostbusters outfit in the 1980s consisted of my dad’s green Air Force jacket and a Micronauts Rocket Tubes launcher strapped to my back, I’ll admit to a bit of jealousy.
Okay, maybe more than a bit: I’ve always wanted to be a snowtrooper.
