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Pink, green, and gold floral brocade costume worn by Little Richard

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Designed by

    Melvin James, American

    Worn by

    Little Richard, American, 1932 - 2020

    Description

    A two-piece costume ensemble designed by Melvin James and worn by Little Richard consisting of a top (a) and pants (b) in gold satin with a pink and green floral brocade pattern trimmed in hot pink fringe. The top has a high neckline with fuschia sequins at the collar and exaggerated kimono-style sleeves that fall to mid-calf length. There is pink fringe around the collar, hem, and wrists. There is a zipper closure at the back of the shirt and a label reading [A / Melvin James / Original / Detroit, Mich.]. The matching bell bottomed pants have three layers of pink fringe at the ankles. There is a metal fastener and zipper closure at the interior right waistband.

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Date

    late 1960s

    Object number

    2020.53.1ab

    Restrictions & Rights

    Unknown – Restrictions Possible
    Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    shirts
    trousers

    Medium

    satin, brocade, fringe, sequin, and metal

    Dimensions

    H x W (a. shirt): 27 1/2 × 23 × 38 1/2 in. (69.9 × 58.4 × 97.8 cm)
    H x W (b. pants): 41 × 13 1/2 in. (104.1 × 34.3 cm)

    Place made

    Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States, North and Central America

    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
    Composers (Musicians)
    Costume
    Gospel (Music)
    Instrumentalists (Musicians)
    Musicians
    Rhythm and blues (Music)
    Rock and roll (Music)
    Singers (Musicians)
    Soul (Music)

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5859c2cb4-e1f6-489c-810a-42e7f1e23853

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2020.53.1ab

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