Object Details
Designed by
Gianni Versace, founded 1978
Worn by
Luther Vandross, American, 1951 - 2005
Description
This suit jacket (.1) and pants (.2) by Gianni Versace were worn by Luther Vandross. The jacket is made from black wool with a woven design in navy and muted teal similar to camouflage. The single-breasted jacket closes at the center front with two (2) black round plastic buttons sewn to a placket, making them invisible from the exterior. The jacket has a standard notched collar and one center back vent. The sleeves are cut straight with a faux slit in the cuffs and a line of six (6) tightly spaced black round plastic buttons on each cuff. There is one (1) welted breast pocket on the proper left side and two (2) pockets with flap closures, one at each front sided waist. The interior of the jacket and all of the pockets are lined in black rayon with a repeating woven design in black of a hairy human head. There are two (2) interior breast pockets, one at each side, and two (2) additional interior pockets on the proper left side, one small one below the breast pocket and another near the waist. A Gianni Versace label is sewn above the proper right interior pocket, with one (1) spare button sewn below the pocket opening. Two (2) additional labels are sewn at the interior center back neck containing style, fiber content, care, and manufacture information. Shoulder pads are sewn between the facing and the lining.
The pants (.2) are made from the same wool fabric as the jacket. The straight-legged pants close at the center front waist with a metal zipper, one (1) flat metal hook-and-eye, and one (1) round black plastic button over a self-fabric tab. There are two (2) front pockets, one at each side with diagonal cut openings. There are two (2) back pockets, one at each side below the waist, with welt openings and one (1) round black plastic button at the center of each one to close it. Seven (7) self-fabric belt loops are sewn around the waistband. The pants are not lined. A Gianni Versace label is sewn at the interior proper left back waistband with a size tag sewn below it.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Date
1990s
Object number
2015.118.4.1-.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
jackets
trousers
Medium
.1: wool, rayon, and plastic buttons;
.2: wool, plastic and metal fasteners
Dimensions
H x W x D (.1 flat): 33 7/8 × 28 × 1 5/8 in. (86 × 71.1 × 4.1 cm)
H x W x D (.2 flat): 42 × 20 1/4 × 1 in. (106.7 × 51.4 × 2.5 cm)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Costume
Costume design
Design
Popular music
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Soul (Music)
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2015.118.4.1-.2