Coat worn by George Clinton: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A floor length coat owned by George Clinton, designed by Manuel. The coat is primarily black wool gabardine with golden lane sunflower appliqué embroidery and aurora borealis Swarovski crystal rhinestones. Each front panel of the coat has four (4) gold and rhinestone stylized sunflowers running from the chest to the bottom edge. Each sleeve has two small stylized sunflowers. A large version of the pattern is repeated on the back at the shoulders, two (2) and the waist, and two (2) on the tails. The coat has two (2) interior lapel pockets, black silk lining, and black plastic buttons at the cuffs. A thick band of gold and rhinestone trim runs along the bottom edge of the coat. Sewn into the interior lapel pocket on the left side of the coat is a black label with gold text that reads [DESIGNED FOR George / Clinton / Manuel]. Adhered over the word [Clinton] is a white fabric label with a barcode and black text that reads [TC 1000378151].

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 2008-2009
• Designed by: Manuel, Mexican American, born 1933
• Manufactured by: Swarovski, Austrian, founded 1895
• Worn by: George Clinton, American, born 1941
• Type: coats
• Medium: wool (textile) and silk (textile) with metal , rhinestone and plastic
• Dimensions: H x W (Flat): 61 × 25 3/16 in. (155 × 64 cm)
• Place made: Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
• Place made: Tyrol, Austria, Europe
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume
• Topic: Costume design
• Topic: Design
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Fashion design
• Topic: Funk (Music)
• Object number: 2019.91
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of George Clinton
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.