Blake's 7

An original costume used in the production of the BBC science fiction television series Blake's 7.

This costume was visioned by noted BBC designer June Hudson and worn on screen by Paul Darrow as Avon in the Season 2 episodes Weapon, Pressure Point and Countdown and the Season 3 episode Dawn of the Gods. Often referred to as the "lobster suit" by aficionados the costume is constructed from crimson leather and comprises of a jacket, trousers and belt, entirely custom made by the BBC Costume Department from Hudson's design. The jacket features a quilted design to the front and shoulders with an area for the accompanying belt to sit, this constructed from the same leather, as are the trousers with a press stud and zip fastening.

Interestingly a number of changes have been made to the costume since its initial creation, June Hudson originally designed the garment with large conical spikes all the way around the collar and is was created like this, the spikes were then removed at the request of producer David Maloney which incensed Hudson as she felt it was an important part of her design, the areas where these spikes were removed from are clearly visible all around the collar as circular stitch marks. Furthermore the costume was originally created as a plain leather jacket and trousers with the quilted part being worn as a tabard over the jacket as evidenced by the lack of a zip to the front, this is how it was worn in Season 2. Sometime before Season 3 the costume was modified with the quilted tabard being incorporated in to the jacket, this resulting in the loss of the lower collar area and evidenced by the fact that what was originally the tabard has a different lining to the jacket, this is visible to the interior collar area, when inspected in person this is also made obvious by the stitching and other factors. This is how the costume remains today and as it was used in the Season 3 episode Dawn of the Gods to which it can be screen matched. Both the jacket and belt retain their original costume labels which are hand inscribed with Darrow's name.

The costume remains in generally excellent vintage screen worn condition with the leather soft and supple having been well cared for over the years.

A unique and exceptionally desirable example of Avon wardrobe from this cult science fiction series.