BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: EMPIRE EVOLUTION

Early 1976 costume concepts for Darth Vader and a Stromtrooper by British talent John Mollo. Note the insignias on both helmets-this concept would be around as an idea for a short while during UK post-production, and, at one point, Vader's helmet would even have additional little satanic-type horns (as seen in early storyboards in his duel with Kenobi). The black Stormtrooper would obviously become a TIE fighter pilot later down the line.

As for the costumes colour scheme...well, they say black is the new...black!