Illustration of four figers with accentuated outfits. The four dark-skinned figures are barefooted in stylized poses next to each other displaying their clothes. The far left figure is sporting a blue bandana, a monochrome white vest and pants with their hand over the shoulder of the figure next to them. The left-middle figure is wearing an orange, tied-cropped shirt and bandana, with white and with hand on hip. The figure to the right is wearing blue overalls with white neck bandana, and the far-right figure is wearing a flowing white knee-length skirt with white v-neck, short sleeved blouse and bandana.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
1975	Work on this object began.
1976	Work on this object ended.
2019	We photographed this object.
2020	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Costume Design Drawing, ca. 1975

This is a Costume design drawing. It was designed by Willi Smith and made for Ailey II, New York, New York, founded 1974.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Alvin Ailey as part of Willi Smith: Street Couture.

It is dated ca. 1975. Its medium is pen and ink, marker, graphite on paper, cotton swatches. It is a part of the department.

Smith's illustrations for Deep South Suite adapt the extended arm that was a signature of his fashion illustrations to toned dancers' bodies with pointed toes. By drawing multiple figures on a sheet, he explored how the costumes would appear together on stage rather than as individual looks.

It is credited Courtesy of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc..

Its dimensions are

H x W: 30.5 × 45.7 cm (12 × 18 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Willi Smith: Street Couture.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/4wUtaL/
Accession Number 17.2019.1
Object ID 2318802402