In the 1960’s Star Trek introduced a bold and simple look for the officers of the USS Enterprise with a style that became iconic in science fiction. For a modern return to the era, a new series needed a new look that stayed true to the original.
Being a prequel series, Strange New Worlds era of Starfleet’s style was largely pre-determined. The classic colours of the original series were the template for the era’s visual upgrade and much like the Kelvin Timeline films, the style’s upgrade came with it’s own twist on the iconic look. On Discovery, Gersha Phillips re-coloured the base template of her utilitarian uniform design to match the bright shades of the original series. Having worked alongside Phillips on the show, Strange New Worlds lead costume designer, Bernadatte Croft, used similar techniques to create a more balanced look between the 60’s and modern design.
The new uniforms use a two-layer base to mimick the classic look, with a black undershirt showing through the collar of the new v-neck uniforms. Taking the same basic shape and style as the originals, Croft’s final design utilised a poly-cotton, wrinkle free (of course!) fabric to give a smoother, more manufactured look while retaining the shape and silhouette. Using some of Phillips techniques, panels reaching from shoulder to the cuff were printed with a repeating division logo to give texture and visual interest to each outfiit.
Distancing from the pastel shades of the past, the new tones were designed to contrast with the vibrant set pieces with the golden command colour using the Chai Tea shade, Science’s a Dark Demin and Operations in a darker Pomegranate.
Adding to the collection, the uniform set also includes a unique medical tunic inspired by the one worn by McCoy in the original series. In a lighter power blue tone, the tunic overlaps with a static rounded collar. Unlike the original series, the nursing staff – primarily Christine Chapel – is highlighted with a white jumpsuit which combined the SNW uniform cut with the utility outfits used on Discovery.
Mirroring the uniforms designed for Star Trek Beyond, each version has plain cuffs and plays host to each officers rank stripes. More simplistic than the ones used in the original series, the stripes also pull inspiration from the simplified Kelvin Timeline look. Though where in Discovery the Enterprise rank stripes mirrored the department tones of the shows uniforms, Strange New Worlds used a gold set for command, silver for medical variants and metallic division coloured striped for Operations and Sciences.
But if you’re going to pull from the original series, you have to include the dress! A touch longer than the one worn by Nichelle Nichols in the 70’s, the new dress variant follows the sample sharp and simple style of the main tunic with black panels down the sides and a zip on the front side attached to a high collar.
Keeping the simplicity, the trousers accompanying the uniform stay to a simple, plain black design with highlighted panels down each side. Meanwhile the (very stylish!) calf high boots were added in collaboration with designer John Fluevog.
Completed by the gold pin with silver outline that debuted in Discovery’s second season, the Strange New Worlds uniforms are a perfect blend of old and new, staying true to the original styles and presentation with an updated, sharper look.
You can read more about Bernadette in her interview on Art of Costume
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