THROUGH THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER

 

One of the greatest things Star Trek fandom has within its ranks is its costumers. The fans who spend so much time and money creating something that they hope will dazzle and impress the people they will meet at the next upcoming meeting, party or convention. Austrek has seen a mulitude of costumes throughout its many meetings, ranging from the basic Federation uniform to things of much greater complexity. Each of them being a work of art, each being created by many gifted people who I have known over the years. Now sit back as we take a little trip down memory lane while I tell of the Austrek costumes that have left the biggest impression in me.

 

Naturally the most common costumes seen at Austrek meetings are the Federation Starfleet uniforms. When I joined the club in 1984, the red film uniforms were in vogue, despite being very difficult and expensive to make, everyone wanted to get one. Although many were created by a large variety of people, no one was ever able to make the perfect Starfleet film uniform, even my own was not up to scratch (although there were a lot which were exceptionally good). However, there have always been the couple which I found, have stood out from the rest for one reason or another. Like Coralie Johnson, for her attention to detail such as the rectangular handbag clip on the shoulder strap which hardly any uniforms ever had, Pam Rendell who wore the proper skirt and boots which Uhura used in Star Trek III whilst other women preferred trousers, and Craig Hooper who not only had the physique to wear a uniform properly (something that has plagued a lot of the male fans and many of the women too), but was the only person I can recall who ever wore the green (medical) colour as opposed to the ever popular white (command) which became a little overused.

 

However, one other Star Trek film costume which I much mention, and was most impressed by, was Sandy Bartels' Motion Picture Admiral's uniform. Aside from being a complete loner amongst a sea of red jackets, it was of excellent quality and very well presented, adding to its distinctiveness.

 

Of the Star Trek baddies, Robert Jan and Gail Adams have produced the most supreme of Klingon costumes by far, and truly stand alone in their attention to detail, quality and creative ability in producing outstanding material. However, a couple of other people have also produced some great Klingon work. Geoff Digman has an excellent Klingon outfit which is possibly the best film reproduction of a Klingon uniform around (right down to the spikes on the boots). Adam Bradshaw's Klingonfrom Star Trek V was a real knock out at that film's premiere. Ingrid de Bree has produced a Klingon costume which is smashing, and Fiona Kingdom's sequenced cloak of the KlingonEmpire symbol is also worth noting.

 

Although never actually seen in the films, Julie Hughes and Allison Wallace created many excellent Romulan costumes that would fill most people's wardrobes, using a bit of artistic license and imagination. No doubt the assassins costumes will stick heavily in many peoples memories (especially their unveiling), whereas for me, the copper suits of armour were magnificent and left a lasting impression (I still consider this costume to be the best I have ever seen, just for shear brilliance alone).

 

If you think I have forgotten good ol' Classic Trek well you're mistaken. Admittedly not many of them are seen around these days and those that are, are mostly worn by the ladies, yet all of them have been very good. CoralieJohnson, Rachel Cocks, Sharon Moseley, Marion MacNally and Barbie Clarke, although it tends to be Barbie who is the most consistent in wearing this uniform the most, keeping the spirit of Classic Trek uniforms alive.

 

The dreaded Next Generation. There have been so many excellent Next Gen uniforms that it is impossible to list all the ones I liked, however these people stick in my mind the most, David Barker, Alison Le Flem, George Papadeas, Wendy Purcell (Deanna Troi), and Marijan Juratovac. These people not only looked good in what they wore (Alison actually styled her hair after her character), but they paid careful attention to detail, like how the zippers were properly sewn in and more importantly, wearing the correct footwear. So many people wear shoes instead of boots for their Next Gen uniforms (yuk!), that just kills the quality and spoils the overall effect.

 

One other area that needs to be looked at is the modified Trek uniform, the one made individualistic through certain changes while still remaining identifiable. Such as Robert Jan's camouflage Next Generation suit which is not only visually impressive, but is also of good quality, and well thought out. And there is Darren Reid who must take first prize in being the most innovative costumer around, altering the basic concept of the Starfleet uniform to make it better and visually more interesting than those actually used in the show, his work is nothing short of brilliant. Then, from a different angle, there is Paula Ruzek, who is now designing her own clothes based on the Next Generation uniform pattern, being distinct, original and subtle all at the same time.

 

But it doesn't stop there, other notable costumes worth mentioning are, Robert Jan's Ferengi which he somehow manages to improve every time it is seen, Chris Ballis' Borg from a couple of years ago, although being technically inaccurate, was visually very impressive, Maria Papadeas' Klingon from Trekcon IV who looked really stunning, Marijan Juratovac's clever half Classic Half Next Gen uniform as seen at the last Christmas party and Allison Wallace and Julie Hughes' RomulanLanding Party costumes. All of these costumes and uniforms are masterpieces in their own right and truly showed everyone the best of what Star Trek fandom, and Austrek, had to offer.

 

All of these people I have mentioned have stood out because of their ability in creating a Star Trek costume that left an impression. I go by what I see and what I remember, and I have always looked at costumes by not only how they were made, but also whether they suited the wearer, looked realistic, and most of all, whether the attention to detail had been attended to. It's the little things that separate good costumes from great costumes and are thus remembered when articles such as this are written

 

D. .Maxwell

 

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