Bun up to mark Princess Leia Day

There can only be one Carrie Fisher, but there can be more than 600 Princess Leias.

At least, that’s the hope of a Porirua couple who are planning a world record breaking gathering of people wearing the iconic ‘‘cinnamon bun’’ hairstyle.

Nikky and Chris Winchester, both 44, are organising the world’s first Princess Leia Day in Wellington in June.

Their aim is to set a new Guiness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as princesses.

The current record, set in the UK, stands at 341, while a subsequent unofficial gathering clocked 537.

The Winchesters hope to beat both by assembling at least 600 Leias in Wellington’s Civic Square.

Nikky encouraged participants to put their own twist on the Star Wars icon.

‘‘We want Leias of all genders and none, baby Leias, elderly Leias, juggling Leias, steampunk Leias, burlesque Leias, bearded Leias, Leias with wheelchairs, Leias on stilts, and Leias with ukuleles! Size, shape, age, colour, sexuality, nationality - the more diverse the better,’’ she said.

However, to make the event happen the Winchesters need to raise at least $5000.

Their only hope is the Arts Foundation-run crowdfunding platform Boosted, where they are hoping people will donate to support the project.

‘‘It’s surprising how much these things cost to put together,’’ Nikky said.

‘‘Just the insurance alone is more than $1000, and then there are costs for staging and technical equipment.’’

They need to raise $5000 to hold the event and $7000 to have the Guinness Book of Records check the record. Any donations over that amount will go to the International Bipolar Foundation and the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation.

The event is on Saturday, June 3 - the same weekend as annual geek convention Armageddon.

It will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, as well as the late Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the films.