Princess Leia’s gold bikini, famously worn by Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, remains one of the most iconic costumes in film history.
The outfit first appeared in the 1983 film during the scenes set in Jabba the Hutt’s palace, where Leia is captured and forced to wear the revealing attire while being held as a slave.
Designed by Aggie Guerard Rodgers and Rodis-Jamero, the costume was intended to be both exotic and unforgettable.
Here are the specifics of Princess Leia’s iconic gold bikini up for auction.
In 2015, the original gold bikini worn by Fisher was auctioned for a remarkable $96,000.
More recently, an early version of the costume, which was screen-tested but not used in the final film, fetched $175,000 at auction.
It includes a bikini top, bikini plates, hip rings, an armlet and a bracelet.
Another interesting tidbit about the gold bikini comes from Carrie Fisher herself.
She shared some behind-the-scenes stories about filming the iconic scene where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker attempt to rescue Princess Leia from Jabba the Hutt, who had enslaved her and forced her to wear a revealing outfit.
During rehearsals, Fisher jokingly added,
“During our first rehearsal, Han and Luke are brought in front of Jabba. They exchange words with Jabba, and then they’re taken away without even acknowledging me. So, during rehearsal, as they were being led off, I quipped, ‘Don’t worry about me! I’ll be fine! Seriously!’ I actually thought they should have kept that line in the movie.
It felt like, “What about me in all this?” I had to stay with the giant slug with the big tongue, nearly naked—not by my own choice. When George Lucas showed me the outfit, I honestly thought it was a joke, and it made me really nervous. I had to sit very upright because I couldn’t have any lines or creases on my sides. No creases were allowed, so I had to sit perfectly straight the entire time.
What made it all worth it was that I got to kill Jabba. That was incredibly satisfying. I remember sawing his neck off with that chain, and I really enjoyed it because I despised wearing that outfit and having to sit so rigidly. I couldn’t wait to end him.”