To mark Star Wars Day (May the fourth be with you) the Richmond & Twickenham Times caught up with the Twickenham designer who made the costumes for the original Star Wars film.
Andrew Ainsworth, 67, was recruited by George Lucas in 1976 to design and make the costumes for the original Star Wars film, A New Hope, from his studio in Twickenham Green.
Last week: Oscar-winning special effects guru and East Sheen native Kit West dies aged 80
Shepperton Design Studios still sells authentic suits and helmets – with the £500-a-piece Stormtrooper ‘hero’ helmets worn by Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford proving the most popular.
Mr Ainsworth said although at the time of the original trilogy, around 30 years ago, there was ‘not much of a market’ for the pieces, over time they have become collectors’ items – or ‘modern antiques’.
He said: “In the last ten years or so we’ve had a lot of interest; people are mainly buying these items as collection pieces.
“We ship all over the world – to Australia, China, Japan, Singapore – you name it.
“They’re particularly popular in Singapore because Singaporeans are relatively new to Star Wars – we ship a lot to Singapore.”
Mr Ainsworth made costumes for more than 200 characters in A New Hope, and now sells the full Stormtrooper and Darth Vader get-ups, as well as R2D2s, Rebel Tie Fighter helmets and authentic E11 blaster guns.
A number of years ago Lucas attempted to sue Mr Ainsworth £20million – and the long-time Twickenham resident even had visits from bailiffs attempting to collect the money.
But, always determined he was in the right, Mr Ainsworth won the right to sell his products after years of litigation through the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
And he’s reaping the benefit these days, after Disney announced it would release a new Star Wars film every year for ten years.
Each year, when a trailer or a film is released, the extra publicity proves a boon for Shepperton Design Studios.
Mr Ainsworth said: “Last year’s film really boosted sales, and we’ve got a lot to look forward to over the coming years, every Christmas.
“Disney really is going for it – which is only going to be good for us and it’s a thriving market all over the world.”
“These characters are now turning out to be the modern-day Mickey Mouse.
“Long may it continue.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here