
Not only were these heroines and villains granted super powers — they were also given a haute wardrobe!
Have you ever wondered where manga artists come up with all the characters, plot lines, and costumes that appear in their stories? Sure, there are manga material websites for budding new artists now, but that wasn’t necessarily the case 25 years ago when Naoko Takeuchi was drawing what would become her best-selling comic, Sailor Moon.
When it came to a number of major character and villain designs, Takeuchi turned to the 1992 designs of luxury fashion brands she admired like Chanel and Dior for inspiration.
Here are some of the outfits that the internet has been able to trace back to haute couture:
▼ Princess Serenity – Dior
▼ Catzi (Negamoon Sister) – Mugler
▼ Dark Lady – Yves Saint Laurent
▼ Hotaru/Sailor Saturn – Mugler
▼ Setsuna/Sailor Pluto – Chanel
▼ Calaveras – Christian Lacroix
Luckily for cosplayers, this means that you can put together any one of these characters without having to thread a needle — as long as you have the cash and the patience to hunt these vintage pieces down!
Source: Tumblr/silvermoon424, Tumblr/prynette
Feature/insert images: Tumblr/silvermoon424, Tumblr/prynette






Brand-new Sailor Moon anime movies bring back original ‘90s anime character designer【Video】
Free Sailor Moon condoms to be given out by Japanese government
Uniqlo’s new line of Sailor Moon T-shirts to go on sale soon, and we can’t wait to buy them
New character designs revealed for Sailor Moon Crystal, including Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn
Sailor Moon and J-pop mega-star Ayumi Hamasaki team up for collaboration, pre-defeat scalpers
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Sanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Japanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Sailor Moon creator illustrates new marriage registration form in Japan, can be ordered now
Fly-through video of Sailor Moon Museum exhibit shows what’s waiting for fans in Tokyo【Video】
Sailor Moon on ice! Skater Evgenia Medvedeva appears in costume for first official ice show【Pics】
Sailor Moon Wedding Dress Collection lets you dress like Usagi, Tuxedo Mask as you say I do【Pics】