How to Dress as Emperor Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek

September 18, 2023

Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh on the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Discovery

Michelle Yeoh has been truly Everything Everywhere All at Once since her historic win at the Academy Awards. 

She's off to bigger things, but one thing she would never be too big for is the Star Trek universe. She is reprising her role as the much-loathed—or much-loved, depending on which mirror universe you're looking at—Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek: Section 31, a spin-off movie from Star Trek: Discovery. 

Of course our costume guide will not be all about Captain Philippa Georgiou. This post is dedicated to Her Most Imperial Majesty, Mother of the Fatherland, Overlord of Vulcan, Dominus of Kronos, Regina Andor, Emperor Philippa Georgiou Augustus Iaponius Centarius.

The fearsome ruler of the Terran Empire has such a badass lore that even Jobu Tupaki would be proud of.

How to cosplay Philippa Georgiou

Emperor Georgiou, like Michelle Yeoh herself, is of Malaysian heritage

Michelle's star turn on Star Trek: Discovery is such a modern classic that her outfit has been exhibited in museums

Speaking to Deadline, costume designer Gersha Phillips said that Empress Georgiou's costume required a lot of 3D printing and modeling, especially in the making of her golden breastplate. (Improvise with your own here). 

Then there's the matter of her halo-like sunburst crown, which looked to Asian costumes and art for inspiration. (You can check out some pieces here.) Emperor Philippa's gold robe is distinct for its standing collar, which appears like a futuristic version of the mandarin collar. 

Philippa, like Michelle herself, was born in Malaysia.

How to do the Emperor Philippa Georgiou makeup

Just as terrific as Michelle's characters was her acceptance speech at the Oscars. We all watched in awe as she said: "Ladies, don't let anybody tell you you're ever past your prime."

Positive attitude aside, it also helped that Michelle continues to be one of the most age-defying actors in the biz today. She has been in a campaign for La Mer and, like many women of a certain age, swears by the timeless moisturizing soft cream

It will take more than anti-ageing products to be as talented as Michelle though. With the right kick or a swish of the cape, you, too, can be Empress Philippa for a day (in the 21st century). 

As Michelle herself said: "Live long and prosper...unless Emperor Georgiou decrees otherwise." 

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