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This crewelwork costume was worn by Leslie Bryant in a section performed to <i>Venus in Furs</i> by the Velvet Underground.  A similar, female, version of the costume (S.102:1 to 3-2010) was worn by Lisa Philips. \r\n\r\nThese costumes were based on an earlier clubbing outfit design, made and worn by designer and performer Leigh Bowery (1961-1994). He reworked the existing theme - a structured body with balaclava - using the skills of Paris-based corsetier Mr Pearl (Mark Erskine-Pullin), who made the complex garments. Lines of appliqué were used to create a corseted look which still allowed the dancers freedom of movement.","physicalDescription":"Costume for a male performer designed by Leigh Bowery and made by Mr Pearl for 1987 dance performance, <i>Because We Must</i>.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Bowery, Leigh","id":"A26372"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"Mr Pearl","id":"A34566"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Gender and Sexuality","id":"THES48940"},{"text":"Theatre costume","id":"THES268477"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2026PL6604","2026PL6503","2026PL6603","2026PL6600","2026PL6601","2026PL6602","2026PL6612","2026PL6610","2026PL6611","2011EY6726","2011EY6734","2011EY6724","2011EY6727","2011EY6728","2011EY6729"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"CA017","id":"THES413396"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES413664"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"CA017","id":"THES413396"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"theatre costumes","id":"x47007"}],[{"text":"dance costumes","id":"x34504"}],[{"text":"leggings","id":"AAT46173"}],[{"text":"theatre costumes","id":"x47007"}],[{"text":"dance costumes","id":"x34504"}],[{"text":"bodice","id":"AAT209874"}],[{"text":"theatre costumes","id":"x47007"}],[{"text":"dance costumes","id":"x34504"}],[{"text":"hoods (headgear)","id":"AAT46121"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1987","earliest":"1987-01-01","latest":"1987-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Costume for a male performer designed by Leigh Bowery and made by Mr Pearl for 1987 dance performance, <i>Because We Must</i>.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"This object features in 'Out on Display: A selection of LGBTQ-related objects on display in the V&A', a booklet created by the V&A's LGBTQ Working Group. First developed and distributed to coincide with the 2014 Pride in London Parade, the guide was then expanded for the Queer and Now Friday Late that took place in February 2015."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"COSTUME FOR BECAUSE WE MUST\r\n1987\n\r\nIn Michael Clark’s irreverent Postmodern dance production, with music ranging from Chopin to Bruce Gilbert, performers appeared in amazing and outrageous costumes. This pair of costumes was designed by Leigh Bowery, who also performed in the production. Based on a clubbing outfit that Bowery wore, the costumes were made by the skilled Paris-based corsetiere, Mr. Pearl.\n\r\nChoreography by Michael Clark\r\nMichael Clark Company at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, 1987\r\nCrewel work bodice decorated with appliqué; lycra tights decorated\r\nwith sequins\r\nDesigned by Leigh Bowery\r\nMade by Mr. Pearl (Mark Erskin Pullen)\r\nMuseum nos. S.101:1 to 3-2010; S.102:1-3, 2010","date":{"text":"November 2012","earliest":"2012-11-01","latest":"2012-11-30"}}],"partNumbers":["S.101:3-2010","S.101:2-2010","S.101:1-2010"],"accessionNumberNum":"101","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2010,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Theatre costume [1]","Theatre costume [2]","Theatre costume [3]"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-20","recordCreationDate":"2010-06-29","availableToBook":false}}