BARBARELLA (1968) the Ultimate Guide - Part 3: Barbarella Costume-changer

In the 1968 movie, Barbarella's frequently hazardous mission meant she had trouble hanging onto any of her Italian designer outfits. Costume designs are credited to Paco Rabane no less, though most were created by Jacques Fonteray, all influenced by Jean Claude Forest, who originally created the character and was heavily involved in the production.

Without spoiling the story too much, here's the sequence of Barbarella's many many costume changes. All her 'clothing breaks' are included, when her clothes disappear and prompt the need for another outfit...

1. SPACESUIT STRIP BARBARELLA
Silver spacesuit with detachable sleeves and leggings, with transforming silver helmet.
(Worn for the titles sequence as Barbarella enters the spaceship.)

Then all her clothes fall off!

(Freefall striptease, talking to Earth President)



COSTUME CHANGE!

2. ASTRONAVIGATRIX BARBARELLA
Black one-piece with breast and stomach windows, segmented plastic see-through casing overlaying shoulders and breasts, black tights.
(Worn for space voyage to Tau Ceti. Presumably this is her pilot uniform!)

COSTUME CHANGE!


3. ICE FOREST EXPLORER BARBARELLA
Silver cape, brown net body stocking, silver bra, wide silver belt, silver boots.
(Exploring the ice forest on Planet 16, meeting the children).




Rrrrrip!

3a. Ice Forest Explorer outfit - torn version!
(The dolls, Mark Hand's sailboat).


Then all her clothes fall off!

(Mark Hand's sailboat)



COSTUME CHANGE!

4. FURRY TAIL BARBARELLA
A thigh-length fur top which also has a troublesome tail.
Looks like she's hung onto her silver boots.
(Getting back onboard the spaceship, journey to the Labyrinth.)




COSTUME CHANGE!

5. LABYRINTH EXPLORER BARBARELLA
White one-piece with black stripes that continue down to the thigh-length boots.
(Worn for entering the Labyrinth, meeting Ping and Pygar.)

Then all her clothes fall off!

(In the bird's nest.)

COSTUME CHANGE!

6. FLYING BATTLE-ACTION BARBARELLA

Silver chainmail brassiere on white, red thong over chainlink belt and white leggings, black cape, red and white boots.
(Worn for flying with Pygar, arrival in Sogo, meeting the Queen.)

Rrrrrip!

6a. Flight Suit - torn version!
(Birdcage, meeting Dildano)

Then all her clothes fall off!

(Getting changed at Dildano's secret headquarters)

COSTUME CHANGE!

7. NIGHTCLUB BARBARELLA
Black top with right-breast and stomach windows, brown leather bikini over brown tights, circle-patterned cape.
(Worn in the nightclub, chilling on see-through scatter cushions).

Then all her clothes fall off!

(The monstrous Excessive Machine!)

COSTUME CHANGE!

8. MATHMOS BARBARELLA
Green 'Peter Pan' tunic with rectangular frills, green boots.
Hair freshly ruffled by the Excessive Machine.
(Final outfit. Below is a publicity shot which has a good view of the 'brainwave detector with built-in tonguebox' that she wears on her left wrist for most of the story.)

There you have it! Barbarella's every outfit! I think I need to chill out with some 'essence of man' after all that!



More chapters in the Ultimate Guide to Barbarella...

Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Cast and Characters

Part 4: Missing Scenes
Part 5: Set Designs