When Star Wars opened in 1977 Carrie Fisher’s unique outfits quickly became a fan hit, but what inspired the unusual bun hairstyle?

Princess Leia’s famous buns made her an instant style icon, and have been imitated the world over, but the truth behind their inspiration hides a darker secret.

When we think of the character of Princess Leia, a few things instantly come to mind, of course the gold bikini from the scenes, but the intergalactic ass-kicking princess with attitude is usually visualised with the white dress and hair side buns.

It had always been assumed that the striking look was a product of George Lucas’s imagination, so when he gave an insight into the true inspiration behind them in 2002 not many people realised that the style had darker roots.

The famous hair buns worn by the princess (played by Carrie Fisher) in the 1977 Star Wars movie that kickstarted the George Lucas franchise are actually inspired by the hairstyles of Mexican revolutionary women.

By November 1910 Mexico was embroiled in a war that would last a decade. The Dictator Porfirio Diaz Mori (Federal Government) was fighting against thousands of revolutionaries from various groups. Everyone young and old was expected to join in, and those who refused were forced to leave the country.