Object Details
Designed by
Geoffrey Holder, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014
Created by
Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961
Worn by
Wendy Edmead, American, born 1956
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
This jumpsuit is part of a costume worn by Wendy Edmead as a Quadling in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The jumpsuit is made from a diaphanous, coral-colored synthetic fabric. The bodice of the jumpsuit and its lower section attach only at the center front, leaving exposed the sides of the wearer's stomach and lower back.
The bodice of the jumpsuit is made of a coral crepe synthetic fiber that is covered in pleated coral chiffon synthetic fiber. The full length sleeves are made of the same coral chiffon fabric, which has been ironed into an accordian pleat and cut in a flared trumpet shape. Elastic loops are attached to the wrist area of each sleeve. The bodice is lined in plain muslin, and closes at the center back with a zipper and a hook-and-eye closure at the neck.
On the lower section of the jumpsuit, coral chiffon synthetic fiber attaches at the waist and reaches to the ankles to form wide-legged, accordian-pleated pants. There is a bikini bottom attached to the waistband. The bikini bottom is a coral crepe synthetic fiber on the recto, lined in plain muslin on the verso, and has an open crotch. This lower section of the jumpsuit closes at the center back with a zipper and a hook-and-eye closure at the waist. A length of coral tape is sewn in a loop at the interior proper left and proper right sides.
Coral passementerie is sewn to the bottom edge of the bodice, forming an x at the center front attachment, and continuing along the top edge of the pants. Two (2) metal discs, each stamped with a head in profile and surrounded by a circle of five-pointed stars, are sewn to the top and bottom of the x and at the center front attachment. Coral tasseled fringe is sewn along the collar line of the bodice and at the hip line of the lower section of the jumpsuit, below the passementerie decoration. Stamped metal discs are sewn all along the fringe at the collar and the hip.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Date
1975
Object number
2007.3.12
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
jump suits
Medium
chiffon, crepe, muslin, passementerie, metal, and elastic
Dimensions
H x W x D (In box): 59 × 22 1/2 × 2 3/4 in. (149.9 × 57.2 × 7 cm)
H x W x D (On form): 61 × 28 × 15 1/2 in. (154.9 × 71.1 × 39.4 cm)
Place used
New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Actors
Clothing and dress
Costume
Costume design
Design
Musical Theatre
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.12