Robert Fletcher
- Thread starter Khan 2.0
- Start date
I absolutely loved his work on Star Trek, and he was one of the few Hollywood costume designers I knew by name. Full speed ahead, Mr. Fletcher.
The 1960s had RGB outfits to embrace the wonderfulness of new color TV*.
The 1970s had pastel moderate "earth tones" because... it was the late-70s and whatever was being done in Studio 54 was being done everywhere else because it was the fad of the week... even then, they still had massive color variations. Thanks to whatever was being done, there was simply less consistency in that area...
TWOK finally put out a proper uniform uniform, using splashes of color to remain in tune with its use for division, but not be so ostentatious. The "monster maroons" were never ostentatious. They were glorious and suited "the big screen" marvelously. Trek never got better**.
His look for TWOK withstood several movies and, indeed, became iconic - a look that should have stayed. He definitely was a very talented costumier.
The 1970s had pastel moderate "earth tones" because... it was the late-70s and whatever was being done in Studio 54 was being done everywhere else because it was the fad of the week... even then, they still had massive color variations. Thanks to whatever was being done, there was simply less consistency in that area...
TWOK finally put out a proper uniform uniform, using splashes of color to remain in tune with its use for division, but not be so ostentatious. The "monster maroons" were never ostentatious. They were glorious and suited "the big screen" marvelously. Trek never got better**.
His look for TWOK withstood several movies and, indeed, became iconic - a look that should have stayed. He definitely was a very talented costumier.
* Yes, NTSC... which those who worked on videotape revised the acronym as "never the same color" because of how NTSC records images, as opposed to PAL and other standards... but that's not important right now.)
** okay, TNG's angles were rather fetching and William Ware-Theiss nailed it, but I was not keen on the return to the 1960s RGB-motif***. Reversing colors for divisions only meant cliche jokes about "yellow shirts" - and that in of itself already sounds far worse than any "red shirt" joke could begin to elicit because anyone wearing yellow also had yellow in places shrouded thanks to the shade of black that adorned the trouser fronts. And yet, "red shirt jokes" or not, for some daft reason, the switch just comes across better. Red just seems more suited for command. TWOK did it best and right since it sidesteps the dumb trope completely. Unless you're paying attention to that little area over the shoulder because shoulder straps can't do go-go dances on their own in the way any RGB-variant can.
*** but, by then, and solidified by TNG, it became so iconic to the branding that it was never going to go. Of course, "Relics" couldn't be bothered to make up its mind was to which sound effect and costume went together - TOS transporter noise (when it should have been TNG's regardless) combined with STVI outfit for Scotty... and who said minutiae wasn't fun?
** okay, TNG's angles were rather fetching and William Ware-Theiss nailed it, but I was not keen on the return to the 1960s RGB-motif***. Reversing colors for divisions only meant cliche jokes about "yellow shirts" - and that in of itself already sounds far worse than any "red shirt" joke could begin to elicit because anyone wearing yellow also had yellow in places shrouded thanks to the shade of black that adorned the trouser fronts. And yet, "red shirt jokes" or not, for some daft reason, the switch just comes across better. Red just seems more suited for command. TWOK did it best and right since it sidesteps the dumb trope completely. Unless you're paying attention to that little area over the shoulder because shoulder straps can't do go-go dances on their own in the way any RGB-variant can.
*** but, by then, and solidified by TNG, it became so iconic to the branding that it was never going to go. Of course, "Relics" couldn't be bothered to make up its mind was to which sound effect and costume went together - TOS transporter noise (when it should have been TNG's regardless) combined with STVI outfit for Scotty... and who said minutiae wasn't fun?
RIP Mr. Fletcher.
My copy of "Fletcher's Notes" (photocopied by someone and sold at conventions in the 80's) was one of my prized possessions. I'm sure I still have it.
I never had a problem with the TMP uniforms. I loved them. (Except the onesie. Not a good idea.) Kirk and Sulu's short sleevers are just about my favorite Trek uni period. I think Kirk's admiral's uniform is a tad overrated.
Of course I LOVED the Wrath of Khan uniforms. There's actually a big difference between TWOK Monster Maroons and anything later. I don't know if it was because they were new, because the actor's were in better shape, or what. In TWOK they look SHARP. After that they start to sag a little. They don't look like the immaculately tailored uniforms and start to look like lower budget space suit costumes. (I think it's mostly the shoulders and the neckline.)
He made (IHMO) the best looking civie clothes in Star Trek. (No I'm not talking about Chekov's Search for Spock clothes.)
And how amazing did he make Sarek look?
My copy of "Fletcher's Notes" (photocopied by someone and sold at conventions in the 80's) was one of my prized possessions. I'm sure I still have it.
I never had a problem with the TMP uniforms. I loved them. (Except the onesie. Not a good idea.) Kirk and Sulu's short sleevers are just about my favorite Trek uni period. I think Kirk's admiral's uniform is a tad overrated.
Of course I LOVED the Wrath of Khan uniforms. There's actually a big difference between TWOK Monster Maroons and anything later. I don't know if it was because they were new, because the actor's were in better shape, or what. In TWOK they look SHARP. After that they start to sag a little. They don't look like the immaculately tailored uniforms and start to look like lower budget space suit costumes. (I think it's mostly the shoulders and the neckline.)
He made (IHMO) the best looking civie clothes in Star Trek. (No I'm not talking about Chekov's Search for Spock clothes.)
And how amazing did he make Sarek look?
