ROSEWOOD’S biggest Star Wars fan, Patrick Mann, has put his creativity to the test by taking on a challenging project putting together over 20 Mandalorian costumes.
Patrick said that he has been interested in everything to do with Star Wars since he was a young child, rating himself as the biggest Star Wars fan “that you may ever meet”.
“I was married wearing Jedi Knight robes, I co-directed a business selling lightsabers and I have spent seven hours getting the grey Jedi code and the Mandalorian creed tattooed on my back,” he said.
“The whole story fascinates me.
“George Lucas studied mythology at university as well as in film making and he distilled the myth of the hero’s journey into its most basic elements.
“It’s all about young people who are thrust into a tale of self discovery with a wise mentor against a force of evil with many trials and setbacks to find truth and their own strength of character.”
And naturally, his creativity with Star Wars costumes came from the movie franchise.
“My inspiration to build armour came from the entire story of Star Wars and all of the characters in it.”
Patrick’s plans to make one set of armour soon grew to 22 sets, after family and friends also wanted a set of their own.
“I have helped build stage props for amateur theatre groups in the past with a friend of mine, but they have never been as detailed as this project,” he said.
“The helmets are all handmade using modified bike helmets, PVC buckets, fibreglass, auto body filler, hot glue, EVA foam and spray paint.
“Each helmet, if I have all of the materials handy, could be made in about a week, considering polyester resin takes 24 hours to set.”
Patrick has fabricated armour plates, and weapons for each family member with each colour holding a special meaning.
The collection is expected to be complete soon, and will be admired as a dream that became a vivid reality for Patrick and his family.
