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Black pants with rhinestones worn by Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind, & Fire

Catalog Data

Created by:
Bernard G. Jacobs, American  Search this
Manufactured by:
French Connection, founded 1972  Search this
Worn by:
Philip Bailey, American, born 1951  Search this
Subject of:
Earth, Wind & Fire, American, founded 1969  Search this
Medium:
pants: cotton and polyester blend cloth, foil thread, rhinestones, plastic button, and metal zipper;
chains: metal
Dimensions:
H x W ((abc) flat): 42 3/4 × 18 1/2 in. (108.6 × 47 cm)
H x W x D ((b, c) flat outstretched): 1 1/4 × 33 1/8 × 1/2 in. (3.2 × 84.1 × 1.3 cm)
Type:
trousers
Date:
2004-2013
Description:
A pair of black men's pants (a) with silver rhinestones and detachable chains (b,c) customized by Bernard G. Jacobs and worn by Philip Bailey, vocalist for Earth, Wind & Fire. The pants have full-length straight cut legs and close at the center front waist with one (1) black plastic round button engraved "FRENCH / CONNECTION" and a metal zipper. There are five (5) self-fabric belt loops spaced evenly around the waist band. A silver metal loop is attached around both front belt loops and side back belt loops for attaching the lobster clasps at the ends of each detachable chains (b,c). The chains have two (2) pieces of chain link of the same length extending from the clasps. There are two (2) diagonal inset waist pockets, one at each front side. There are two (2) patch pockets with flap closures, one at each back side waist. The inner side of the flap of each pocket is sewn down, while the outer side of each pocket is closed with one (1) metal snap. The legs of the pants are made from several different pieces of fabric seamed together to form a decorative element, including rounded pieces at the inner thighs, front and back knees, and back crotch areas, and diagonal lines running across the front thighs. Round silver rhinestones in two different sizes are attached to the pants over the seams of the diagonal lines on the front thighs. Black suede with a scalloped upper edge is sewn around the bottom of each leg. Silver foil thread is machine sewn on top of the suede in a series of lines that start in a burst of rays at the center front leg and extend onto the back of the leg ending in varying lengths. Round silver rhinestones of varying sizes are attached over the silver thread, with a large concentration of them at the central front burst. A blue fabric tag is attached at the interior center back waist with white printed text containing fiber content. White fabric tag is attached at the interior proper left side seam behind the pocket lining with black printed text in English on the front and Chinese on the back detailing fiber content, care, and style information.
Topic:
African American  Search this
Clothing and dress  Search this
Costume  Search this
Singers (Musicians)  Search this
Soul (Music)  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Costume Designer Bernard G. Jacobs
Object number:
2015.147.4.2abc
Restrictions & Rights:
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
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
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd543abaca2-8dca-4165-9851-e2c43e7dd59d
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2015.147.4.2abc