Created by
Jacobs, Bernard G., American
Manufactured by
French Connection, founded 1972
Worn by
Bailey, Philip, American, born 1951
Subject of
Earth, Wind & Fire, American, founded 1969
Date
2004-2013
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)
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.
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Type
trousers
Topic
Clothing and dress
Costume
Singers (Musicians)
Soul (Music)
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.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd543abaca2-8dca-4165-9851-e2c43e7dd59d

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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