"If you're one of the lucky fans to snag a rare pre-release copy of The Complete Vader book last fall, you may have been intrigued by the cool-looking Darth Vader costume depicted on page 17 -- a costume that appears to have been based on early Ralph McQuarrie concept drawings for the character.
Often mistaken as an early prototype mock-up for the Dark Lord's helmet and chest armor, this particular costume actually never came anywhere near the Star Wars soundstages in England -- rather, this was a Halloween costume fabricated by Star Wars concept designer Joe Johnston for a festive Industrial Light & Magic party in October, 1976!
Artist and former ILM Creature Shop employee John Brosio, who also happened to create a pretty stunning Vader of his own, recently asked Johnston about the fabled "McQuarrie Vader" costume, and its ultimate fate:"