William Ware Theiss’s contribution to the Star Trek universe extends far beyond the original series. His visionary designs for Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) uniforms not only defined the aesthetic of that era but also laid a lasting foundation for subsequent Star Trek iterations. Decades later, these “Tng Uniforms” remain instantly recognizable, a testament to their iconic status within popular culture and science fiction.
The TNG-era uniforms were not conceived in isolation. They represented a deliberate progression from Theiss’s earlier work on Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) and the unproduced Star Trek: Phase II. This evolution is evident in the design choices, reflecting a refinement of his established principles and an exploration of new directions in uniform aesthetics.
Looking back, it’s clear that Theiss was building upon a foundation he had already laid. His penchant for knit fabrics, evident in TOS, carried over to TNG, suggesting a consistent design philosophy. Furthermore, the suggestion of more unisex uniform designs, hinted at in Phase II, also found resonance in the TNG era, though not fully realized, indicating a continuous thread in his design thinking.
The contrast between Theiss and Robert Fletcher, another significant Star Trek costume designer, highlights the distinctiveness of Theiss’s vision. While both designers were immensely talented, their artistic interpretations of the Star Trek future diverged significantly. Theiss’s approach for TNG uniforms, while undeniably unique and visually striking, was clearly rooted in and evolved from his foundational work on TOS, creating a sense of visual continuity within the franchise.
The paradigm established by Theiss for The Next Generation uniforms encompassed several key elements. While certain experimental ideas, such as the “skants” for men and the initial admiral uniform in season 1, proved to be short-lived, core aspects of his design endured. The color-coded divisions (Command, Sciences, Operations) and the placement of rank insignia became enduring features, persisting through Star Trek: Enterprise.
Although Theiss’s direct involvement with TNG costumes was limited to the first season, and subsequent uniform designs underwent modifications, the fundamental “look” and paradigm he established became indelibly linked to The Next Generation. In retrospect, the TNG uniform aesthetic has achieved an iconic status comparable to, and perhaps even surpassing, his groundbreaking uniforms from The Original Series. The lasting impact of “TNG uniforms” underscores Theiss’s profound influence on the visual identity of Star Trek and science fiction costuming as a whole.
