‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Wedding Costume Inspired by McQueen and Fish Bones
7 reported
The wedding episode of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” features costumes and sets inspired by luxury fashion designer Alexander McQueen and fish anatomy, according to the show’s costume designer and production designer. The series is set in the 32nd century after the events of “Star Trek: Discovery,” with Starfleet relaunching the academy outside San Francisco after the Federation’s absence on Earth for more than 120 years. Episode 7, titled “Ko’Zeine,” depicts a Khioian traditional wedding ritual where Darem is kidnapped and forced to marry his childhood friend and new queen, Kaira. Costume designer Avery Plewes used a chroming technique on thousands of feathers to create a scaly, metallic texture for Kaira’s dress, inspired by McQueen’s couture designs and her parents’ artistic layering. Production designer Matthew Davies built the waterless planet Khionia using a 60-foot LED volume stage and practical designs, incorporating fish bone-like architecture and a silk wedding pagoda that billows like fish gills. The episode serves as a love letter to Plewes’ artist family, she said.
What’s reported
The show’s showrunner Alex Kurtzman has been vocal about his love for Alexander McQueen, which influenced costume discussions.
Costume designer Avery Plewes used a chroming technique on thousands of feathers for Kaira’s dress to create a scaly, metallic texture.
Plewes’ inspiration also came from her parents, both artists; her mother would “always paint in layers.”
Production designer Matthew Davies built Khionia as a waterless planet in a moon-locked state with constant magic hour sunlight.
Davies combined virtual production using a 60-foot LED volume stage with practical designs, using fish bone-like architecture.
The wedding pagoda was made of silk and pushed with air to billow like fish gills.
For guests, Plewes largely used off-the-rack items that were altered, including a Top Man jacket for Quinn that was transformed with a puffy texture tool and chroming.
Key figures
Alex Kurtzman: showrunner of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy”
Avery Plewes: costume designer
Matthew Davies: production designer
George Hawkins: actor playing Darem
Jaelynn Thora Brooks: actor playing Kaira
Alexa Yaphe: actor playing Quinn
Bonnie McCabe: textile artist
Sources: Variety
