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 | The Slave Girl Bikini Conundrum |
 This is a topic that has sat at the back of my noggin for a while but seeing The Force.Net announce another Slave Girl Bikini group pic at Comic Con (on Thursday), with a link to a website that's all about said costume, sort of got me going today.
Over on the site there are pictures and interviews with girls who have taken upon themselves to wear one of the least-forgiving costumes ever in film history. I saw an item on a whole bunch of Slave Leia sketch cards made for last year's Star Wars Heritage card set, which not only brought back memories of how the Star Wars Galaxy card sets from the 1990s seemed to feature an awful lot of Slave Leia, but also made me wonder how a couple of them ever got approved. Whatever happened to official, canon-SW keeping it cool for the younglings?
A few days ago, TFN posted an item about a radio show (internet-based?) that wants to discuss whether said costume is enpowering or sexist. Well, it's a complicated issue from my standpoint and I'm somewhat conflicted about the whole thing.
On the one hand, can anybody blame guys for liking that outfit? I remember when ROTJ came out, the 7th and 8th grade boys at my school weren't so much talking about the action or battles, but about seeing Leia in nearly the altogether. Those happy memories have remained through adulthood (providing a subplot in a very famous episode of "Friends") and have fired up the hormones of many a young lad discovering the SW saga since then. (By the way, Padmé's torn "Tighty Whities" costume from AOTC seems to be well on its way to becoming the PT's slave girl bikini, based on what I've read by the gents and based on the loads of artwork out there). I understand why it was used in that scene; does it really bother me they were also milking Carrie's ability to fill out said outfit too? Eh, not really. Leia still gets to put the choke hold on ol' Jabba in the end anyway.
On the other hand, I'm a little annoyed at how it's becoming the only way SW fandom likes to remember her. There's nothing wrong with finding Leia sexy but where's the tough-talkin' five-foot scourge of the Empire? Where's the smart Rebel leader? The compassionate sister and friend? The Chosen Onette, for Petey's sake? I'm still sitting here waiting for a freakin' Bespin Leia 12" doll but whenever the licensees get around to our favorite princess, what do they go for first? You betcha, Slave Leia. Gentle Giant has its surprisingly sexed-up Slave Leia statue, and what does Kotobukiya serve up as their first Leia? The ol' bikini! I don't care if it's included after they do another Leia or two, but really, it's ridiculous when you can count on one hand the number of Hoth Leias that have been produced in the past 7 years. Only ANH Leia gets immortalized almost as frequently as the Slave Leias do. And that's a distinct second place.
I know what you will all say...sex sells. Yes, I know. I know most of the people producing this stuff are selling to men/boys (or at least they think so).
But they forget that millions of girls and women admire Leia not because of her figure but because she kicks butt. It's unfair to reduce a great character to a bimbo simply because it's an easier sell to fanboys.
With that said, I'd like to announce a Comic Con Shirtless Anakin group picture at MissPadme's place near the convention center  ...
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http://blogs.starwars.com/misspadme/101 |
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salaciouslq
Jedi Counsel Help 5¢
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date Posted: Jul 22, 2007 11:17 PM
Touché! I second the shirt-less Anakin a la Clone Wars! Hey they got plenty of male eye candy that us female fans can enjoy.
But seriously now, I do agree that they over-do the Slave Leia. As you may already know the souvenier book for Comic Con also features a ANH Luke, ANH Han and of course a Slave Leia. I personally prefer the Yavin Ceremony Leia. Now that was a beautiful costume.
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JonathanLB
Jonathan Bowen's Star Wars History
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 2:49 AM
I definitely think they are catering to the large demographic of male fans with products like that. To me, one of the coolest things about the Star Wars films is their ability to show all types of people working together towards common goals, not just an empowered lady like Leia but also alien species, etc. I address this issue about ROTS a bit in my newest book, basically lamenting the fact that in ROTS Padme becomes basically just a plot device to bear children and turn Anakin to evil through her imminent death. In the deleted scenes, though, you see she's a much more three dimensional and important character. Alas, Lucas had to cut many of her best scenes for time and pacing reasons.
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Rogueish
W.I.E.R.D.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 2:52 AM
I know nothing or care about the ratio of bikini toys to Hoth toys, but I will tell you what I think, and that is as an adolescent boy watching Episode VI, for me, the action outweighed the skin. It still does. I hate it when "Slave Leia" is often thought of as "how men remember Leia the most" - this line was even entered into the Dark Horse book Panel to Panel and I disagreed in its entirety.
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Rogueish
W.I.E.R.D.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 2:53 AM
I must be one of the few who prefer Leia's best attributes and not the amount of flesh on show. Yes, its nice to see some eye candy once in a while (and there's certainly a whole lot of bloggers here who tend to ram the state of Anakin's abs and chest down our throats), but I'm glad that we didn't see more of Portman's body - she's too classier looking to be flaunted in all her glory.
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Rogueish
W.I.E.R.D.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 2:56 AM
And I absolutely detest that Friends episode. Mainly because I can't see the attraction in Jennifer Aniston but also partly because the costume is inconsistent - she shouldn't be in the costume with the buns hairstyle for crying out loud.
Anyway, I can't help but think that when Leia's offing Jabba, she's thinking "Dress me up like a tart will ya! That'll learn yer."
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ketal13
HanAnWan
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 6:47 AM
It doesn't bother me too much that slave Leia is so popular, because, to us real fans, who know and love the SW story, we all know that no matter what Leia is dressed in she is still strong and intelligent and she can still kick arse even in the buff, if she had too. 
As for Anakin, Rogueish, his abs are all the eye candy we have, the next best thing was Han's cleavage in his pirate shirt, so you have to let us ladies have some fun
Nice entry Miss Padme. 
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comanderbly
That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 8:09 AM
Nice entry!
I have to agree with you that we probably see a little too much of the Slave Leia costume (Did I really just say that!). Your points made me think about how Leia saves Luke in ESB from falling off cloud city. Leia is also the first to get to Han and release him from carbonite. Both are examples of how Leia breaks the typical damsel in distress image, but still its easy to forget that.
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vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 8:16 AM
My hubby prefers the OT to the PT. He tells me over and over again he isn't sure why he doesn't care for the PT. His favorite of the OT movies is ROTJ. He likes Leia in that outfit. I personally have no problem with her in that outfit. I get enough out of Anakin in ROTS for that.  . Most guys are going to think of her that way first. I will admit he does like her personality, though- her strength and perseverance to keep the Rebellion alive.
cont.....
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vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 8:21 AM
I personally like her in ANH. I like that dress, although it is pretty simple. I also like her ceremony and Cloud City outfits. I personally would wear either of them. As far as the Slave Leia outfit is concerned, I guess it has to do with whom you talk to (from the guys, that is). I will admit the Slave Leia outfit is done a little too much though. I'd love to see Leia portrayed more with the other said outfits. That's how I remember her better.
vadersgirl33
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APowerfulJedi
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 9:01 AM
Great article MissPadme and yes as a guy the slave outfit was excellent and I'd be lying if I didn't say so. However it wasn't the outfit that stood out in my mind for Leia it was the fact that she was a strong, confident and intelligent women with all these amazing abilities including the force. With the Slave Outfit this just made you say wow is there anything this woman doesn't have. For the women that pay tribute to this outfit, "way to go" for being confident enough with yourself to be willing to pull it off. As for "younglings" go to a beach and see what they are paying attention too and what they remember there later. Last thing when I think of Leia the image that comes to mind is her putting the secret plans into Artoo.
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jkthunder
Seven Pieces
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 9:08 AM
Is there anything wrong with being both sexy and smart at the same time? Even though the fanboys may drool, it doesn't mean that they don't recognize the mind behind the bikini. If anything, I kind of feel like Leia liberated sexiness by wearing the bikini. She makes the case that women who are sexy don't have to be "bimbos" or dolts, and at the same time that smart women don't have to be frumpy and unattractive. On a whole other level, Leia also uses her strength and intelligence to liberate herself from slave-ish objectification. Of course this is all only as relevant as it is perceived by any individual.
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Rogueish
W.I.E.R.D.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 10:10 AM
As for Anakin, Rogueish, his abs are all the eye candy we have
Its a shame his acting ability wasn't as up to scratch as his abs. At least Carrie Fisher was talented.
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ketal13
HanAnWan
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 10:37 AM
JK Thunder!!! That is what I wanted to say, but I seemed to have had a failure to communicate it as well as you! It's good to see your name around here again. I always love reading your comments!
Sorry Miss Padme, but I have to add one more thing...
his acting ability wasn't as up to scratch as his abs
Aw, booooo, hisssss!!! Although I do not agree with your opinion on his acting, I must agree that there is nothing that can quite measure up to his abs.
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padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 11:05 AM
It is funny that you bring up this topic here. The same discussion you mentioned has spared a great debate in a forum to which I belong. There are many sides to this, and everyone has their own thoughts on this.
As a costumer and a woman, I can see various sides to this issue. As soon as a guy discovers that I do costume, he always asks if I have plans for a "certain metal number." Sure, the guys appreciate my other work, but that is the one inevitable question that arises. I always say..."No...and if I ever do that costume, I will not be making it myself."
Cont...
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padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 11:06 AM
I have seen the work some of the girls put into this costume (those that do make it themselves). It truly is a work of art, and they are often very proud of it. As it was mentioned in the one forum, it is not difficult to tell the difference between those who wear the costume as part of the character and those that wear the costume to gain attention.
As a woman, I feel the same as many do...annoyed that Leia has been objectified by this one outfit. However, the goal of the costume was to humiliate her, to degrade her as a powerful woman. In the end, she reclaims her image and shows all that she will not be degraded.
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Jade Sabre777
A luminous being, I am...
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 12:25 PM
First, thanks so much for bringing this up! It bugs me how much attention this outfit receives.
She makes the case that women who are sexy don't have to be "bimbos" or dolts, and at the same time that smart women don't have to be frumpy and unattractive. On a whole other level, Leia also uses her strength and intelligence to liberate herself from slave-ish objectification.
annoyed that Leia has been objectified by this one outfit. However, the goal of the costume was to humiliate her, to degrade her as a powerful woman. In the end, she reclaims her image and shows all that she will not be degraded.
I like these points - they're very true!
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Jade Sabre777
A luminous being, I am...
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 12:41 PM
As for Anakin, Rogueish, his abs are all the eye candy we have, the next best thing was Han's cleavage in his pirate shirt, so you have to let us ladies have some fun
 !! Yes! Wait, we had Luke in a diaper too....on second thought....never mind...... * shudder*.  That was just odd....
his acting ability wasn't as up to scratch as his abs
Aw, booooo, hisssss!!! Although I do not agree with your opinion on his acting, I must agree that there is nothing that can quite measure up to his abs.
!!
Sorry Rogueish: don't mind us!
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Jade Sabre777
A luminous being, I am...
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 12:56 PM
Okay one last comment and then I'm done, I promise!!
With that said, I'd like to announce a Comic Con Shirtless Anakin group picture at MissPadme's place near the convention center
Sweet!
Padme's torn "Tighty Whities" costume
Hmph. My friend loves that costume even though he doesn't like Star Wars and it drives me crazy!  I'm surprised you didn't mention that funky black leather outfit she wore as well. That's the other one that seems rather popular...and the other one my friend likes.... * eye roll*
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JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 1:51 PM
I have to say that I'm with Rogueish "Dress me up like a tart will ya! That'll learn yer." When asked to describe the princess, that costume rarely is how she is described. At least in my circle of friends.
Carrie Fischer seems to have taken it all in stride, and the entire episode of having to wear that metal bikini certainly has given her some excellent fodder over the years! She spins a tale of those days so well!
Princess Leia has been a great role model for both my girls, and it is not the costume they think of (nor I) when they think of the princess.
(Anakin's rippling abs - they're okay. Give me Luke's contours any day of the week. Now, that's enough to make a girl swoon!  )
MTFBWY
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vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 4:39 PM
it is not the costume they think of (nor I) when they think of the princess.
Exactly how I see it. It was Leia's personality that I remember. Not the outfits she wore.
The outfit provided enough eye candy for the guys. We have a shirtless Anakin to look forward to for us women.
vadersgirl33
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MissPadme
Miss Padme's Naboo Love Nest
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 7:20 PM
JonathanLB
Not sure what Padmé's role in ROTS has to do with this post. Her role changed, but I also think fandom tends to look down on traditional roles such as motherhood.
APowerfulJedi
I was referring to a card set that included, much to my surprise, a sketch of Leia from behind with her bikini skirt billowing up, exposing her rear end. What were they smoking when they approved that?
jkthunder
No, there's nothing wrong with sexy and smart at the same time. I'm just concerned there's a little too much focus on that particular aspect of her character.
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MissPadme
Miss Padme's Naboo Love Nest
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 7:20 PM
Rogueish
Har har...either you're jealous or he makes you question your orientation. Bash Hayden on my blog and I'm going to give it right back to you.
Jade_Sabre777
When I first saw AOTC, you should've heard the hooting and hollering in the audience the first time Padmé appears in her black corset . I'm aware that one is popular too.
vadersgirl33
Your take on the slave Leia issue was where I stood for a long time; I'm just annoyed that every time somebody decides to do a new Leia figurine or whatever it's the bikini again.
padmeskywalker77
Sure, Leia teaches Jabba a lesson he won't forget but most of the artwork I've seen forgets about that part.
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jkelly
There Is No Conflict
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 9:52 PM
I see the sexist side, but it also shows a "dumbing-down" side. Perhaps they're inter-related.
It's immediately identifiable and evokes strong reactions -- emotional, hormonal and intellectual. It's an image for MTVers.
I'm not sure I like fandom's current fascination. One thing to note, though, is she was just kind of there. She was not forced to dance around or do anything degrading. In one way, the objectification shows how far she was willing to go to save Han without GL being patronizing.
Is the current situation fandom's long-simmering feelings breaking through to the surface or just a current appeal to the lowest-common denominator? I don't know.
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Rogueish
W.I.E.R.D.
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date Posted: Jul 23, 2007 11:30 PM
None of you have seen my abs, thats for sure. Your opinions would switch let me tell you.
I'm sorry to "bash" Hayden, but the way I see it, he just cannot act to save his life. But it's not entirely his fault, he was dealt a pathetic script.
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peterpurin
Star Wars Jesus Freak
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date Posted: Jul 24, 2007 7:51 AM
You've got a really good point here. If you notices, almost every coverage event from CIV "had" to have at least a couple pictures of slave-Leia costume wearers. As a 501st member who understands how all us clones, TKs bounty hunters and the like put our blood sweat and tears into a full coverage costume, it is discouraging to see all the press go to a group of scantily clad girls, most of whom probably didn't have to do a lot of work on putting these outfits together
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Rogueish
W.I.E.R.D.
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date Posted: Jul 24, 2007 10:26 AM
Anyway, the way I see it, looking at Aayla Secura's bare blue midriff and blue cleavage is the way forward.
That's what I'm talking about.
See, I can get shallow too.
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vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
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date Posted: Jul 24, 2007 12:45 PM
I agree with you on that. Her slave outfit is pretty popular, especially with the guys. I do wish they would use her ceremonial or Cloud City outfits more often. Those are pretty. I even like her original outfit.
vadersgirl33
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Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
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date Posted: Jul 24, 2007 3:09 PM
I've often thought it ironic that for all of Leia's toughness, leadership, and mental aptitude, she is sadly most remembered for that costume, especially outside of the fandom.
I've often thought that, as well. To me, personally, it's Leia's elegance and gracefulness that makes her an attractive character.
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MissPadme
Miss Padme's Naboo Love Nest
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date Posted: Jul 24, 2007 6:33 PM
jkelly
I'm not against Leia being in the slave bikini in the first place. I realize they tried not to make it overly exploitative and Leia's still herself, if you know what I mean. But yeah, I do wonder why it's all coming to a head now.
Rogueish
Yeah, right, whatever. Zzzz.
peterpurin
The best Slave Leia costumes I've seen obviously took a lot of time and skill to make them look just right...but that's true of Padmé costumes and stormtrooper armor. Some costumes are of course so elaborate they require a lot more time, $, and skill to make. It's all relative.
But I see what you mean by not getting as much attention. I know some Rebel Legion members who could agree with you!
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anakinsw77
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date Posted: Jul 24, 2007 8:18 PM
I do agree that they've over done the Leia in the bikini thing, but the movie is supposed to be for...everyone So they had to interest some adult male minds.
But I do say the shirtless anakin is a good idea! lol! I mean a little for the girls now! Guys got their hot Leia, we girls want our hot Anakin!
But I have to admit I used to as a little girl, sadly, like the bikini outfit... haven't a clue why, maybe because Leia kicked Jabba's butt even in that outfit!
And I do agree that young girls look up to Leia and even Padme now, not for their bodies, but because they are the heroines of the stories and every adventure needs a girl to kick butt!
LKB
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The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
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date Posted: Jul 25, 2007 8:41 AM
Very good question... and yeah, I think it boils down to the "it's just a movie" answer. We've propped SW up as myth so often these days that we forget its "humble" origins.
Also, I agree with PS77 -- sure, some of the women who dress up as Slave Leia are serious costumers... but many of them, I suspect, just do it for the attention. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Great blog!
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MissPadme
Miss Padme's Naboo Love Nest
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date Posted: Jul 25, 2007 9:51 PM
anakinsw77
Nothing wrong with liking the bikini as a kidlet. I loved everything about Leia when I was young and I still do .
The_Stooge
The slave girl bikini has its roots in cheesy pulp fantasy/sf paperback cover art where every female was depicted with some sort of iron or bronze bra. You know they were drawn by men because actually wearing one of those things would be uncomfortable and impractical .
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Krash
Shadow12 standing by!
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date Posted: Jul 26, 2007 12:20 PM
Great article Miss Padme!
I'm one of those rare guys who admits the whole "metal bikini" thing doesn't do much for me; and I'm straight and everything... just that and Wilma Deering from "Buck Rogers" was the one to jump start me into puberty. 
I do think the fanboys who go "coo-coo for coco-puffs" over the Slave Leia thing have waaay too much influence on which versions of Leia (and now Padme) gets featured in merchandise.
I think it's nice that the Slave Leia costumers are proud of the work (on both costume and their body)...I don't think it should be a major event, to the point where the fire marshall has to tell people to "move along" Take your picture, and head to the nearest cold shower.
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MissPadme
Miss Padme's Naboo Love Nest
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date Posted: Jul 26, 2007 7:10 PM
Krash
I knew a guy whose favorite Leia outfit was the Hoth snowsuit. He liked leaving something to the imagination .
I witnessed the crush of people when they did the Slave Leia group shot at Celebration. It was pandemonium. And that's what the licensees respond to. You didn't see the same crowds for the ANH Leia group shots.
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Blizzard Two
LET'S BLOW THIS THING AND GO HOME...!
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date Posted: Aug 01, 2007 4:01 AM
I always think of Leia dressed as Boushh. I never really rated Carrie Fisher as eye-candy until I saw her in that get up. There's just something about outdoorsy-looking girls...
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