Explore Black History

1990s

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.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Clothing - Costume

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

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2015.118.4.1-.2

jackets
trousers

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.1: wool, rayon, and plastic buttons;
.2: wool, plastic and metal fasteners

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)

Object Name • Black, navy, and teal suit worn by Luther Vandross

nmaahc_2015.118.4.1-.2

NMAAHC

BLACK, NAVY, AND TEAL SUIT WORN BY LUTHER VANDROSS

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1990s

Gianni Versace • Vandross, Luther

Design • Soul (Music) • Costume • Music • Clothing and dress • Rhythm and blues (Music)

jackets • Trousers

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions