The “Star Wars” films feel like sprawling, sci-fi melodramas. So for George Lucas’ vision to come to life on film, the costumes had to be equally dramatic.

Oh, and science-fictiony, of course.

The “Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume” exhibit now on display at the EMP Museum in Seattle tells the tale of how the iconic characters of “Star Wars” got dressed in the morning – and it’s a story worthy of the price of a ticket. (Full disclosure: Maria Harr is a huge “Star Wars” fan)

Lucas built a world when he created “Star Wars.” He populated it with humans and aliens of multiple shapes, and while his world is far from our own and a long time ago, some norms, like clothing, carried over.

A stairway covered in burnished gray metal pipes interspersed with glowing blue tubes, reminiscent of going into warp speed, leads to the exhibit. A tantalizing taste of what’s to come sits in a small alcove on the wall- the rehearsal puppet for Yoda, the iconic tiny green alien who first appeared in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.”

Once you’ve left warp speed (we can call them the stairs, if you like) you’re treated to Queen Amidala’s large red dress, which first introduces the character to audiences in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.”

The accompanying placard explains how the glowing globes at the bottom of Amidala’s dress were lit with a car battery that actress Natalie Portman hid between her legs, under the dress. The first costume and accompanying trivia is just the first of the interesting tidbits and awe-inspiring outfits to see throughout the exhibit.

Past the first dress, the exhibit is populated by gray mannequins posed artfully along the walls and in the middle of the large, two story room where it is housed. The mannequins are sized to fit the costumes they’re wearing, and even have different hands, each posed to work with the character and costume.

Most of the exhibit houses the costumes for Natalie Portman’s Amidala, whose transformation from gaudy queenly attire to more maneuverable action outfits and beyond, is well documented. The majority of the exhibit is from the newer trilogy of films, rather than the older, almost entirely the fault of Amidala’s massive wardrobe.

Still, fans of the original will be pleased to see such costumes as Darth Vader’s menacing dark robes and helmet, princess Leia’s “slave bikini,” complete with a seductive mannequin pose, and Han Solo’s signature scruffy nerf herder look, among others.

The room has background music from the various films playing lightly to set the mood, interspersed with louder displays that tell each costume’s story.

In one corner C-3PO stands next to R2-D2 while Anthony Daniels, the actor within the C-3PO suit, tells the tale over voice recording of how he had to be convinced by his manager to audition for the role.

Each costume is set with others of its kind to explain a particular element of the design or fabrication process, such as “Jedi versus Sith: Form, Function and Design.”

The costumes are accompanied by plaques full of varying types of information, from how the costume was actually created, where inspiration was garnered for design, who wore it, to how the concept was supposed to further audience’s understanding of the character.

In its entirety the exhibit boasts 60 different costumes from the various films.

The EMP is the first stop of a planned 12-city national tour for “Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume.” The exhibit will be at the EMP until October 4, 2015. Tickets are $28 for general admission, with no discount for seniors or students, $25 for military and $22 youth, and also offer admission to the rest of the EMP Museum.

Costumers, fans, fashionistas, film buffs, creatives of any kind and even the casual onlooker, will likely find the exhibit alternately inspirational, fun, educational and downright cool.