- On View
- Taking the Stage Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- Taking the Stage
- Designed by
- Norris, Patricia, American, 1931 - 2015
- Worn by
- Ejiofor, Chiwetel, British, born 1977
- Created by
- Western Costume Company, American, founded 1912
- Subject of
- Northup, Solomon, American, 1808 - 1875
- Date
- 2013
- Medium
- synthetic fiber and cotton blend cloth
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 34 × 23 × 14 in. (86.4 × 58.4 × 35.6 cm)
- Description
- This white shirt was worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013). The shirt is made from a synthetic and cotton blend, or all synthetic light-weight white cloth. It has been artificially distressed and stained with dirt, foodstuffs, and other elements so that it appears dingy and old. The shirt has an open neck front with a standard collar, the neck fastening with three (3) self-fabric covered round buttons above a pleated front panel. The full-length sleeves are blousy, with pleats at the shoulder seams and the fitted cuff seams. Each cuff closes with one (1) self-fabric covered round button. There are side vents at each waist. The back of the shirt is pleated along the top where the neck meets the collar. The shirt is machine-sewn with serged finishes on the seams. It is not lined and there are no labels in the shirt.
- Classification
- Clothing - Costume
- Type
- shirts
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Costume design
- Design
- Film
- Men
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Western Costume Company
- Object number
- 2015.158.2.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




