Deep Space Nine: Quark

Oh, is this one sweet. This Quark costume is known as the 'Aztec Cherry'  and it is unique in that we get to see it's fabrication by Garak in the season 4 Deep Space Nine episode 'For The Cause'. It is showcased very well in a total of 21 episodes such as 'The Magnificent Ferengi' and 'Business As Usual'.  There was only one of this costume made and it is so amazing.  The fit and finish is impeccable.


This Ferengi costume may be one of Quark's most recognised as it is seen very frequently from season 4 through 7, including the series finale 'What You Leave Behind' In fact, the final time we see Quark, he is wearing this costume. Quark wears it with either a brown or maroon jumpsuit, with both versions displayed here. It is absolutely beautiful in person and it is among my favorite Ferengi costumes.


In 'For The Cause', it was shown on screen as a work in progress as many of the accents were not yet applied, and it had changed a bit from that point, as Quark had mentioned what he didn't like about it in that very episode. It no longer has
the cuffs, and the collar is now a narrower and different one than in that episode.




When the Star Trek Experience was retired in 2008, I felt it appropriate to wear this particular costume at the closing (I mean, it's Quarks, right?). This shot was taken after it closed for the last time .



Fun fact: When this costume was discovered, my friend Dana and I both wanted it really bad, but neither wanted to let the other one have it. So with my good friend Jim (see Niner's Paradise)as the moderator, we all agreed that Dana and I would flip a coin for the right to purchase it. Clearly, I won and I treat it like the prize that it is. I want to thank Dana for being a such a good sport.

Deep Space Nine: Quark

This Quark costume is first seen in the Deep Space Nine season 5 episode 'The Ascent' where Quark and Odo have crashed on a Type L planet and struggle with the planet, and each other, for survival. This episode showcases Quark at his best, and even Armin Shimmerman says this is one of his best episodes. Both men survive and this costume is used through to season 7, including the final episode.

This costume is used in 10 episodes and originally starts out with a blue jumpsuit, but later employs a maroon one, which I own. The fabrics and detail in this Ferengi costume are superb.



The internal tags show this to be the hero costume worn by Armin Shimmerman. There were at least two hero and one distressed version fabricated for the show. There are very subtle 'tells' between the two hero versions, and I can verify mine was worn in the season 6 episode 'Statistical Probabilities'.  The 'distressed' version was sold on Ebay before I knew about it, and New Ferenginar would love for it to come home. (Update: 10/05/13 it did!)

As a footnote, I wore this costume to the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention in 2009. While walking around the vendor's area, I spotted Rene Auberjonois and said 'Hi'. He then told me to turn around, and guess who was behind me? Yep, Armin Shimmerman. He and Rene were due onstage and headed for the stage door, but Armin took a moment to talk and take a couple of photos with me. As he left, other people tried to stop him for pics and autographs, but he declined as he clearly needed to go. Armin did not have to stop for me, but he did and that makes him every bit the awesome guy you think he is. Armin, you have a fan for life!

Deep Space Nine: Broik

Broik can be seen often throughout the entire series, portrayed by David Levinson. However, this Ferengi costume is only briefly seen in the Deep Space Nine episode 'Bar Association'. At this point in the series, he still had not uttered one word on screen. While it may not be one of the flashiest of Ferengi costumes, I am glad it is in my collection.



Upon closer inspection of this costume, It seems that the base shirt is likely a modified off the rack shirt, with the scraps used for the headwrap. The vest is custom made, and I have seen the same fabric used in another Star Trek costume. I do not have the jumpsuit for this costume, and I suspect it was used from another Ferengi costume as seems to have been a common cost cutting practice.

This costume did make one further, albeit minor, appearance in the season 4 episode 'Broken Link'.

Deep Space Nine: Gral and Lonzo

This Ferengi costume was used to portray two different characters in this series: 'Gral' was a Ferengi businessman who traveled to Deep Space 9 in the episode 'The Nagus' so he could hear the Grand Nagus Zek announce his successor. Even though he initially opposed the selection of Quark as the new Grand Nagus, he offered up his services to Quark as his personal bodyguard in exchange for premium opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant. What he offered as 'protection', was intended as a threat. 'Lonzo' was a card shark whom got played by Odo as 'Curzon Dax' in the episode 'Facets'. Gral was portrayed by Lee Arenberg, but in a highly odd contradiction to practice, there are no tags in any piece of the costume to denote this. However, every piece does have the name Mark Barrett, which would suggest that Lonzo was portrayed by him. This costume also makes several guest appearances in DS9. It can be seen briefly in the episode 'Family Business' and was also seen hanging in Garak's shop in 'Profit And Loss'. Lastly, we see it draped over Quark's sofa in 'Prophet Motive' Update 10/20/14: I finally got to meet Lee Arenberg at the Las Vegas Star Trek convention in 2014. He was as generous with his time as he was funny.

 I am glad to have met him.

Deep Space Nine: Nava

This Ferengi costume was featured in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode 'The Nagus'; wherein Nava is a Ferengi businessman that is invited to a conference held by Grand Nagus Zek aboard Deep Space Nine. During the course of the episode, Zek supposedly dies and Quark becomes the Grand Nagus of the Ferengi Alliance, until Zek's full plan is revealed.

Barry Gordon portrayed Nava, and the inside tags verify this. This costume was used only in this episode and there are no other names inside on any part, so no part of this costume was used for any other Ferengi costumes. This costume is of particular interest to me, as the cropped jacket has a unique collar and long band down the center.

Deep Space Nine: Gaila's Boots

Gaila was Quark's cousin, and in true Ferengi fashion, used every opportunity to his benefit. The first time we meet Gaila is in the Deep Space Nine episode 'Business As Usual'. In it, Gaila introduces Quark to the profitable world of weapons dealing as his likely successor. Trouble ensues, and Quark escapes the situation intact while Gaila's future is uncertain.


The next time we see Gaila is in the Deep Space Nine episode 'The Magnificent Ferengi'. Quark pays Gaila's debts and gets him out of prison (see the boots?) in exchange for his help in rescuing Quark and Rom's Mother from the Vorta.

Gaila was portrayed by Josh Pais, and his boots have his name taped to the insides. I don't own the Gaila costume...just his boots, but I do know the owner personally. The last time we met, he said he already has Gaila's boots with his costume, but we recently discovered that he doesn't. At some point one of us will complete the costume....one day.



EDIT: Aug 2011 The owner of Gaila and I made a deal where his costume is now reunited with the boots. I still want the costume, but that will come later.

The Next Generation: Dr. Reyga

This Ferengi costume can be seen in the 'Star Trek The Next Generation' episode 'Suspicions'. Dr. Reyga is a Ferengi scientist whom has developed a new metaphasic shield technology. Other peer scientists are invited aboard the Enterprise to view a demonstration, but the test seems to be a failure. In the course of the episode, Dr. Reyga suspiciously dies and Dr. Crusher is compelled to sort out the entire situation.

In an attempt to incrementally improve the Ferengi image, the writers gave them a scientist. Peter Slutsker portrayed Dr. Reyga, and all components of this costume have tags with his name and no others. This is the first time we see a Ferengi civilian costume, as all prior Ferengi were in military uniform. One of the unique features of this costume is the taper of the sleeves accomplished by a zipper from the forearm to the cuff.

Deep Space Nine: Civilian Waiter

This Ferengi costume is a bit hard to spot in the season 4 Deep Space Nine episode 'Bar Association', but it is there. Even though it may not one of the more sophisticated Ferengi costumes, I am lucky to have the complete costume in my collection.




The late Bernie Bielawski portrayed this Ferengi, and his name is on the inside tags. The shirt is custom made for this episode, while the jumpsuit and vest used for this episode came from a different Ferengi costume used earlier in the series...a common practice employed for a number for the Ferengi in this episode.






Sadly, the best image of him is in this behind the scenes photo.

Deep Space Nine: Ferengi Rank Collar

This piece of neckwear was originally used in The Star Trek The Next Generation episode 'The Vengeance Factor'. It is likely that one of the Acamarian bodyguards or handmaidens wore this, as it does not match the one that the lead character, Yuta, wore.


This exact one reappears in the Deep Space Nine episode 'Q less' as a Rank Collar for one of the Ferengi bidding at Quarks auction.

Deep Space Nine: Civilian Waiter

This Ferengi costume was seen (or barely seen, rather) in two Deep Space Nine episodes. The first being 'Bar Association' where the Ferengi employed in Quarks bar formed a union of sorts to get better wages and treatment. In 'A Time To Stand', he is seen walking by Weyoun and Jake as a background character. Ironically, even though he was in two episodes, this unnamed Ferengi seemed to hide behind other characters, so the screencaps shown below are the best to be found of him. (custom screencap courtesy of Jorg)



Kevin Brown portrayed this Ferengi, but had no lines. This costume is the obvious result of the episode needing Ferengi extras for the shoot. The base shirt is a modified off the rack shirt, and I suspect the vest is as well. The jumpsuit is the same one used for Gral/Lonzo and has many internal tags, each with a different name including Kevin's, thus this costume is complete.

Deep Space Nine: Brunt

Brunt was a Ferengi liquidator for the Ferengi Commerce Authority and was featured in 8 Deep Space Nine episodes, including 'Family Business' and 'Body Parts'. Truly 'The IRS guy from hell', he made every attempt to ruin Quark at any opportunity. Veteran Trek actor Jeffry Combs portrayed Brunt. It seems there were two versions of this costume made (see below). This particular costume is missing it's amazing coat and latinum bar necklace as the only complete version of this costume was sold at the Christies auction in 2006. All of the internal tags say Jeffery Combs. I also own the stunt version of this costume which was worn by George Colucci. The only differences between the two versions of Brunt's costume are in the jumpsuit and vest, as the remaining components were shared between them. Version 1 was used in seasons 1-5, as seen below. I own version 2, which was used in season 6-7 as seen here in 'The Magnificent Ferengi' It saw one final use in 'The Dogs Of War' as it was the final time we see Brunt.

I have met Jeff twice.  Once in 2011 at a Convention in Phoenix, and once in Las Vegas.  He was very courteous and accommodating.  Thanks Jeff!