Deep Space Nine: Quark

Here is one of Quark's better costumes, the Purple Zebra Striped.  This Ferengi costume is seen in an amazing 42 episodes of Deep Space Nine in one form or another. It was beautiful on screen and absolutely glorious in person.

I am lucky to have it.
 

It first appears in the season 3 opener 'The Search (pt. 1)'.

Soon we see this in further episodes such as 'Homefront', 'Starship Down', and 'Heart Of Stone'.  The costume makes it's last appearance in the final episode of DS9 'What You Leave Behind'

There were at least two of this costume made with numerous extra shirts and jumpsuits at the ready.  One was sold at the Christie's 2006 auction, and this one here.  My fear when buying this costume is that it would have stunt components, but this particular costume has tags in all components with the name 'Armin'.

The pieces of the costumes were sometimes mixed a bit.  Here it is in the exact configuration as I own it in the season 4 episode 'Accession'.

This very costume was donated by CBS to The Paley Center for the Media in 1996 while the show was still in production and was on display to the public for many years. When the Center decided to auction the costume, they called upon Joe Maddelena and Profiles In History to do the auction. To that end, this costume was also seen in the television show 'Hollywood Treasure' during the auction.

Below are a few screencaps of the very show it was featured in. 

It has now found it's true home here at New Ferenginar.

If anyone out there has photographs of the Star Trek display at the Paley Center when it was active, please let me know.  I would be most grateful.

Deep Space Nine: Grimp

Here is one of the lesser known Ferengi costumes, Grimp.  This little guy is seen in just one episode of Deep Space Nine:  'Bar Association'. He is among other Ferengi that are on strike from Quark's bar due to poor wages and long hours.

The situation works itself out in favor of the Ferengi union, and Quark is worse for wear, but the bond between Quark and his brother Rom is strengthened.

Grimp was played by James Marsden and all of the costume components have his name and no others. It is a very small costume, and I had to use a modified female mannequin to display it.  I chased this Ferengi costume down for about four years as I thought this costume would have the answer to a small mystery for me.  I got my answer, but it wasn't the one I wanted.  Nevertheless, I am very glad to own it as I now have six of the 8 minor Ferengi costumes from that episode.

The Next Generation: Seasons 2-7

After the embarrasment of the first season characters and uniforms, completely new Ferengi costumes were designed for the show and the fans accepted the apology.  While this style was seen in TNG episodes such as 'Menage A Troi' and 'The Perfect Mate', they were all the gray/green variety.  This version is the cocoa variety and was seen late in the series in two episodes.


 It is hard to detect which one is which color on screen, but with a little picture enhancement it can be done.

Here it is in the season 7 episode 'Bloodlines' where Dai'Mon Bok tries to exact his revenge upon Captain Picard for the loss of his son with a plan to capture Picard's 'son' and kill him while Picard helplessly watches.

This particular Ferengi costume was once adorned with rank stripes on the sleeves and emblems on the collar as evidenced by the remaining threads, but no longer does.  It was worn by at least two actors, David Jeffries and David Levinson as written on the internal tags.  David Jefferies went on to play background Ferengi in Deep Space Nine, while David Levinson played Broik in 76 episodes of Deep Space Nine.

It took me a great while to acquire one of these versions as no one was willing to part with theirs, but money and determination solved that problem and the huge void in this collection was filled.

Deep Space Nine: Leck and The Secretary

You are gonna love this Ferengi costume...Meet Leck...Ferengi businessman, assassin, eliminator! He is all smiles when you meet him, but never cross him because he is all business. When you absolutely, positively have to put an end to your rival, he is the Ferengi to call.

In all seriousness, this Ferengi costume makes the first of three DS9 appearances in the season 3 episode 'Family Business'. In the episode, Quark and Rom meet not Leck, but the Secretary for Liquidator Brunt. Even though they never get to speak with Brunt, in true Ferengi fashion, the Secretary gets a slip of latinum anyways.

When we see this Ferengi costume again, it is in the Season 5 episode 'Ferengi Love Songs'. This is where we meet Leck for the first time just leaving the Tower of Commerce.

The final time we see Leck, and this Ferengi costume is in the season 6 episode 'The Magnificent Ferengi'. A real treat for Ferengi Fans as we see Leck in much of his assassin glory.

Leck was portrayed by the late Hamilton Camp and all of the inside tags have his name. Mel Green portrayed the Secretary, and oddly there are no tags with his name anywhere in the costume even though it was likely made for him as he wore it first!

I tried for a few years to buy this Ferengi costume to no avail. One day while talking to my friend Jim (see Niners Paradise), he informed me that he had just purchased this fantastic Ferengi costume(damit!). Needless to say, after some discussion he agreed that it truly belonged among my other Ferengi costumes and sold it to me. Whew!

Deep Space Nine: Grand Nagus Zek

The best Grand Nagus costume has to be this one. Grand Nagus Zek was loved, envied, and feared by his fellow Ferengi with good reason: He was both genius and crazy. Nowhere is that more apparent than in his wardrobe. Some of the fabrics used seem like an absolutely crazy choice, but they come together with pure genius and this Ferengi costume is a prime example.

In order of appearance, this is Zek's second Ferengi outfit. It is first seen in DS9 season 2 'Rules Of Acquisition' where Zek sends Quark on a impossible errand that is ultimately successful...for Zek.

We next see the costume in the season 3 episode 'Prophet Motive' where the Prophets change Zek's feelings about greed and profit...and not entirely for the better in a Ferengi's eyes.

Season 5's 'Ferengi Love Songs' showcases Zek's vulnerable side and expands upon Ferengi society. It also showcases many of his outfits, including this one.

The final time this Grand Nagus costume is seen in the season 6 episode 'Profit And Lace'. Brunt nearly manages to replace Zek as the Grand Nagus, but ultimately fails again.

This costume was originally sold off in pieces and it is still not entirely complete, but it is close. I already owned the jumpsuit and shoes prior to the coat and vest, but wasn't aware they belonged together. The acquisition of the vest and coat took a great deal of patience as the prior owner was very fond of it and it took over two years to come to an arrangement that worked for both of us. Once I had the top half and examined various screencaps, I recognized that I owned the bottom half and was able to reunite them. The reddish undershirt has not been located to date.

This is the best Grand Nagus costume, and I am so very thrilled to own it (thanks Steve, it's in good hands).

Deep Space Nine and Voyager: Turot and Nunk

This Ferengi costume was used several times in two different star trek series. The first was in the Deep Space Nine episode 'The Nagus' as the Ferengi businessman Turot. His role in the episode is minimal to be sure, but his amazing costume, along with the other Ferengi in the episode, helps to establish the direction of Ferengi fashion for the rest of the Star Trek franchise.

In the episode, he is noted for being unwilling to sit next to a rival Ferengi named Hoex, due to Hoex buying out Turot's controlling interest in the cargo ports on Volchek Prime.

It's next appearance is in season 2's 'The Alternate'. This unnamed Ferengi is seen browsing the remains of the Ferengi 'Plegg'. When he hears Quark's price, he just moves along.

This costume is seen again in the season 6 Deep Space Nine episode

'Change Of Heart' among a number of Ferengi playing Tongo with Quark.

In the season seven Star Trek Voyager episode 'Inside Man', this ferengi costume makes it's return as the character DaiMon 'Nunk'. In the episode, Nunk hatches a plan to kidnap Seven of Nine with the intent to steal her nanoprobes and sell them for a profit. When Barclay figures out that the crew of USS Voyager will be killed in the process, he tricks Nunk and is able to foil the deadly plan.

Turot was played by an unknown actor, and even though there are tags in the costume's components, none indicate the actor that portrayed him. However, we do know that Michael Rivkin portrayed Nunk and there are tags in all of the pieces verifying this.

This costume seemed deceptively plain some years ago before I owned it, but I tell you now I was mistaken. Hoex may not have wanted to sit next to this ferengi, but now it is one of the more elaborate Ferengi costumes sitting in my collection.

Deep Space Nine: Grand Nagus Zek

Meet Grand Nagus 'Zek' of Ferenginar. He is the head of all things financial for the Ferengi, and this is his Ferengi costume. We first meet him in the Deep Space Nine episode 'The Nagus'. Here we learn his role in Ferengi society and how he is both admired and feared. In the episode, Zek is about to retire and is about to choose his replacement. Zek's own son Krax accompanies him to Deep Space Nine where Zek is to announce his choice at a conference among other important Ferengi. Unexpectedly, Zek picks Quark to be his successor in an attempt to uncover a plot against him, and see if Krax is ready to take over as the true successor.

Zek appears in a total of seven episodes of Deep Space Nine, such as 'Prophet Motive' and 'The Emperor's New Cloak'. His mix of capitalism and chauvinism made him a fantastic character and fan favorite.

Wallace Shawn portrayed Zek in all seven appearances and this is his first Grand Nagus costume used in the show. This particular Ferengi costume makes three more appearances in the Deep Space Nine episodes 'Rules Of Acquisition' 'Prophet Motive' and 'Ferengi Love Songs'

Deep Space Nine: Civilian Waiter

This Ferengi costume was worn by an unnamed character in the Deep Space Nine episode 'Bar Association'. He is among other Ferengi employed by Quark. To improve their working conditions, they form The Guild of Restaurant and Casino Employees, and strike against him when he cut their pay. Add in Brunt and a couple of Naussicans, and trouble ensues. Ultimately, Quark relents, but still manages to save face. Veteran Ferengi actor Ken Ziff wore this costume in the only episode it was seen in. It is complete with all 5 pieces and looks equally as good in person.

Two Fantastic Ferengi...And Great Guys.

Oh, the benefits of owning such great Star Trek costumes.

This post isn't entirely related to Ferengi costumes, but I had to post this picture of Max Grodenchik, Myself, and Armin Shimmerman. I have chatted with each of them at various conventions and asked them if they would wear their Ferengi costume coat in a pic with me. Each had no problem at all with it, so when I caught up to them at a recent convention, I came prepared...and they honored my request.

I have met these two many times over the years and they have got to be the nicest, kindest, and most generous people you could meet. If you see them at a convention, be sure to thank them for what they did for Star Trek and by extention, for us.

Deep Space Nine: Pel

Pel was the first of only two Ferengi females to be seen in the entire Star Trek universe. Introduced in the Deep Space Nine episode 'Rules Of Acquisition', she left a lasting impression among fans.

In the episode, she disguised herself as a Ferengi male, complete with larger ears, to prove that Ferengi women had the intelligence and ability to earn profit. When her insightful counsel drives a wedge between Rom and his brother Quark, Rom does some snooping and discovers her secret. When her true gender is exposed, trouble ensues and old stereotypes are questioned.
Pel was portrayed by Helene Udy, and I am lucky to have her Ferengi shirt. Since her coat fit so poorly, it seems to me that wardrobe gave her whatever Ferengi waiter costume fit her best. However, being female, her costume top was unique in several ways. The most obvious is that the shirt snaps closed from the front, while all other Ferengi Waiters(and most Ferengi costumes) zip up the back. Also in a rare break from the norm, her costume top does not have her name on the inside tag. This is particularly odd as the shirt was custom made for her, and screencaps clearly confirm this is her shirt.
Interesting footnote: Two different shirts were made for Pel and both were seen in the episode, sometimes in the very same scene!


My luck has paid off more times than I can count, and here is a great example. During the 2011 Las Vegas Star Trek Convention, I was very fortunate to meet Helene Udy at her first ever Star Trek Convention. You likely remember her from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman as the lovely Myra, but her role as Pel was no less remarkable. She is such a treat, and I have to tell you, she was as kind and sweet as she is beautiful. Thanks Helene...as I know you will see this.

Deep Space Nine: Rom

Ya know, for being in only 31 episodes, Rom had a nice wardrobe. This costume was first seen in the DS9 episode 'Family Business' where Rom's mother Ishka makes trouble for the family by earning profit, wearing clothes, and not admitting these were mistakes. This Ferengi costume was also seen in 'Take Me Out To The Holosuite' where Rom manages to come through in the clutch.

This fine piece of Ferengi wardrobe was used by Rom in only 4 episodes like 'Bar Association' and 'Little Green Men' as shown above.

This particular Rom costume is great as it is complete with shoes and headwrap. All of the internal tags have 'Max' or 'Max G'. There are no other tags indicating any reuse of components. There was a stunt version of this costume made, but I can't see why as every time Rom is seen in this outfit, there are no action sequences requiring a double. Stranger things have been done...!

During the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention in 2009, I was given an opportunity to have a few pictures taken with Max Grodenchik. He came out from behind his autograph table and posed for pictures with me. He is obviously a professional as he was concerned about lighting and poses for the best picture. I am told that his this way with all his fans. What a cool guy!