Skip to main content

Link to Smithsonian homepage

Smithsonian Music

Main menu

  • Calendar
  • Listen
  • Learn
    • Ask Smithsonian
    • Collections Spotlights
    • Music Stories
  • Watch
  • Blog

Suit jacket worn by Luther Vandross

Object Details

Description
Red and black suit jacket designed by Tony Chase and worn by Luther Vandross.
The body of the jacket is red and is covered with wavy strands of thin, red beads, which were sewn on. The jacket has a black collar and black pointed lapels, as well as two black buttons near the center of the jacket. The shoulders, sleeves, and sides of the jacket are covered in black and clear beads in geometric designs. The beads are different shapes and sizes, and so are the designs. The inside of the jacket is lined in black with s small repeating diamond pattern. There are also some small lion designs on top of the diamonds. There is a white, rectangular label which reads [TONY CHASE] in black. The back of the jacket has more of the red, black, and clear beaded geometric designs. The designs start at the shoulders and go down the sides and the center of the jacket.
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Created by
Tony Chase, American, 1952- ca. 1990
Owned by
Luther Vandross, American, 1951 - 2005
Worn by
Luther Vandross, American, 1951 - 2005
Date
1980s
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Seveda Williams in Celebration of the Musical Legacy of her Uncle, Luther Vandross
Medium
polyester, silk, rhinestone, plastic, and thread
Dimensions
H x W: 30 1/2 × 22 1/2 in. (77.5 × 57.2 cm)
Type
jackets

Featured In

  • Don't Forget Your Jacket
  • Music and Fashion
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Link to Smithsonian homepage

  • About
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Back to Top