People have been collectively mourning the loss of actor and activist Carrie Fisher after her sudden death on Tuesday. Fisher, who was a Hollywood icon for decades, was most known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars films, and also for that oh-so-iconic bun hairdo she sported in the movies.
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1. The famous buns on the side hairstyle is known the world over, and director George Lucas explained in a 2002 TIME interview where he got the inspiration for Leia’s hair:
In the 1977 film, I was working very hard to create something different that wasn’t fashion, so I went with a kind of Southwestern Pancho Villa woman revolutionary look, which is what that is. The buns are basically from turn-of-the-century Mexico. Then it took such hits and became such a thing. In the new trilogy, the same thing applies, to try and do something timeless. I’m just basically having a good time.
2. To back up the claim, University of Texas associate professor Eric Tang uploaded a photo to his Facebook account from a Star Wars art exhibit in Denver that put Leia’s hair inspiration on full display.
3. Evidence also suggests that Leia’s hair is inspired by the “squash blossom” hair style worn by the maiden women of the Native American Hopi tribe at the turn of the century.
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4. The resemblance between the styles is uncanny, and even Princess Padmé rocks the exact same look.
Edward S. Curtis / U.S. Library of Congress
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5. In a 1977 interview with the BBC Fisher said that, “They didn’t want a stereotypical princess” for the films.
6. So in this case, the look and attitude of an intergalactic badass woman drew inspiration from some badass women from history.
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