While today’s fashion often draws inspiration from anime, the 1990s saw the reverse happen. Anime creators, like Ai Yazawa of *Nana*, acknowledged borrowing from fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood. However, Sailor Moon stands out as a particularly cool case. Manga artist Naoko Takeuchi was so passionate about fashion that she openly admitted to using ready-to-wear and couture looks of the time to create her heroines’ costumes.
The influence of high fashion is evident everywhere, from the casual outfits seen on promotional covers—think Vichy dresses, black one-piece swimsuits with white borders, and blouses featuring large fabric camellias—to the iconic battle suits. As the movie *Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos* arrives on Netflix, we delve into the 90s runway looks that served as Takeuchi’s muse.
Christian Dior’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1992 collection, titled *Balmy Summer Breezes*, was a homage to Greek architecture and the historical figure of Pauline Bonaparte. The collection’s feminine, floral designs provided inspiration for Queen Serenity’s iconic white gown, a symbol of her spiritual power. The ethereal, white dress evokes the columns of ancient temples, and its cascading neckline echoes the *Angel of Gold* dress by Roberto Capucci.
Black Lady’s striking look owes its origins to the sensual, fluid brown and violet dress worn by Kate Moss in a 1994 Opium perfume advertisement. Takeuchi adapted the design, replacing the boat neckline with a sheer turtleneck and layering it over a bustier with delicate straps. The jewelry, too, boasts a darker aesthetic.
Sailor Pluto’s attire draws inspiration from Chanel’s Alta Moda Fall/Winter 1992/1993 collection. The sleek, black silk dress, with its figure-hugging fit and draped fabric, is replicated almost entirely, with the addition of a distinctive garnet stone to the body chain. The golden armor-like bodice, as well as the accompanying ribbon, earrings, and central necklace, from the same Chanel collection, served as the base for Calaveras’s attire. To fit the character, Takeuchi replaced the long skirt with a more playful mini and added a crescent moon symbol to her forehead, representing the Dark Moon clan.
Among designers, Mugler was possibly Takeuchi’s favorite. The character of Kaon’s costume is a precise replica of a Mugler design from the Fall/Winter 1992 collection, featuring a semi-transparent, spiral-patterned jumpsuit paired with a multi-layered tulle skirt. For Queen Beryl’s striking, horn-shaped violet dress adorned with a large black diadem, Takeuchi borrowed inspiration from a dress showcased by Ivanka Trump at the Spring/Summer 1992 runway show. While the shape is similar, the color and the neckline and hem have been adjusted to enhance the villainous persona.
Sailor Saturn’s top, a standout piece featuring geometric cutouts and black bows on the shoulders, is another Mugler creation, showcased in the Fall/Winter 1992 show. This fashion-forward influence clearly illustrates that Sailor Moon’s wardrobe was more than just imaginative design; it was a clever blend of creative vision and real-world inspiration.
