Will The Force Be With Us Come Fall 2014?

When designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte presented Star Wars themed gowns during their New York Fashion Week Fall 2014 show, many in the industry scoffed, if not laughed out loud, at the idea of R2-D2 plastered across an evening gown.

Then, this past weekend, Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi of Preen showed Darth Vader screen-printed pieces during their London Fashion Week Fall presentation. The fashion world had to consider one thought… is Star Wars a new trend for Fall 2014? (Okay, two thoughts: Where was Princess Leia?)

The Rodarte sisters are known for their off-the-wall aesthetic, so no one expects to walk out of a Rodarte show complaining of boredom. (Remember the time they showed the deconstructed biker outfit complete with fringe detail? We'd like to forget.) The Star Wars gown were welcomed as another example of Mulleavy sisters quirky sensibility, but not necessarily taken seriously. Style.com labeled the dresses "Instagram bait":

And with all due respect to fans of Star Wars (for they are legion), the use of giant Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 prints in the final passage of gowns just seemed silly. On the other hand, those gowns made for great Instagram bait, which may have been the point.

Then came Preen's all-out Star Wars fest, complete with storm troopers protecting the models backstage and the infamous Darth Vader blouses.

This time, Style.com declared it more corporate bullying than fashion – the bully here, I assume, is Disney, owners of George Lucas' Lucas Films.

Either you are dead keen on the idea of wearing a blouse with Darth Vader's face on it, as was seen here at Preen or, like this reviewer, you think the whole thing is gimmicky and smacks of corporate bullying.

(Seriously, has Style.com got something against Star Wars? We all hated the prequels, but simmer down.)

Others, like Harpers Bazaar, heralded the collection as the coming of a new trend dubbed Geek Chic. The sci-fi-centric motif has been added to their list of Fall 2014 trends, but will wearing the Death Star to a dinner date really catch on?

Being that industry stars like Rodarte and Preen are into it, a sci-fi trend is a real possibility. I’m excited about it, until Jar Jar Binks shows up on a chiffon blouse. Then I must put my foot down.

Image: Instagram/@thevalgarland