{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1775073"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1775073/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PB7252/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PB7252/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2025PB7252","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF6279","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF6278","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF6277","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PB7250","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PB7249","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PB7248","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0657","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0658","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0659","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0660","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0666","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0654","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0656","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0655","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0663","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0665","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0664","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0662","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NX0661","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1775073","accessionNumber":"S.308:1 to 7-2024","objectType":"Costume","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Suit designed by Peter Hall for David Bowie on the <i>Serious Moonlight</i> tour, 1983. \r\n\r\n<b>Parts 1 and 2: Suit</b>\nA pale yellow single-breasted suit jacket, with a satin lining. It has cream plastic buttons on the centre fastening, and sleeves. Matching pale yellow pleated suit trousers with cuffed hems, a zip fly, plastic buttons and belt loops. \n\n<b>Part 3: Shirt</b>\nA blue, textured long sleeved cotton shirt with collar. It has cream plastic buttons, and an elastic leg loop. \n\n<b>Part 4: Bow tie</b>\nA pale yellow silk bow tie with deep pink polka dots and a maroon elastic fastening. It has a black fabric label sewn into it, embroidered with silver writing. \n\n<b>Part 5: Suspenders</b>\nA pair of mustard yellow and navy blue striped suspenders with brown leather straps and gold metal clips. One of the brown leather fastenings has stamped text on it, and the metal clips have engraved writing.\n\n<b>Parts 6 and 7: Socks</b>\nA pair of pale yellow, ribbed woollen ankle socks.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Peter Hall","id":"AUTH401891"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":"Jacket, shirt and trousers"}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Harrods","id":"C842"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"AAT251917"},"note":"Bow tie"},{"name":{"text":"Brooks Brothers","id":"AUTH403934"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"AAT251917"},"note":"Suspenders"}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wool","id":"x40131"},{"text":"cotton","id":"AAT14067"},{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"leather","id":"AAT11845"},{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"elastic","id":"x29976"},{"text":"satin","id":"AAT132902"},{"text":"silk","id":"AAT243428"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Machine sewing","id":"AAT257463"},{"text":"Hand sewing","id":"AAT257459"},{"text":"embroidery","id":"x40351"},{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53829"},{"text":"stamping","id":"x34899"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"<b>Parts 1 and 2: Suit</b>\r\nMachine-sewn cotton and wool. Moulded plastic buttons. Metal zip. \r\n\r\n<b>Part 3: Shirt</b>\r\nMachine-sewn cotton. Hand-sewn elastic. Moulded plastic buttons. \n\r\n<b>Part 4: Bow tie</b>\nMachine sewn and printed silk and elastic, with moulded plastic fastening. Embroidered label. \n\n<b>Part 5: Suspenders</b>\r\nMachine-sewed leather and elastic. Cast metal clips. Stamped and engraved writing.\n\n<b>Part 6: Socks</b>\nMachine- sewn wool. ","categories":[{"text":"David Bowie Archive","id":"THES394093"},{"text":"Entertainment and leisure","id":"THES48959"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2025PB7252","2025PF6279","2025PF6278","2025PF6277","2025PB7250","2025PB7249","2025PB7248","2024NX0657","2024NX0658","2024NX0659","2024NX0660","2024NX0666","2024NX0654","2024NX0656","2024NX0655","2024NX0663","2024NX0665","2024NX0664","2024NX0662","2024NX0661"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"CA009","id":"THES411078"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"CA009","id":"THES411078"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"CA009","id":"THES411078"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"CA009","id":"THES411078"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"013","id":"THES310068"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"013","id":"THES310068"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"013","id":"THES310068"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Jacket","id":"x40630"}],[{"text":"Shirt","id":"AAT212499"}],[{"text":"Trousers","id":"AAT209935"}],[{"text":"Bow tie","id":"AAT210057"}],[{"text":"Suspenders","id":"AAT209996"}],[{"text":"Socks","id":"AAT46087"}],[{"text":"Socks","id":"AAT46087"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Great Britain","id":"x32019"},"association":{"text":"designed and made","id":"x39722"},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Bow tie"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1983","earliest":"1983-01-01","latest":"1983-12-31"},"association":{"text":"designed and made","id":"x39722"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"DBA/2/1/15/8","id":"ARC270097"},"association":""}],"creditLine":"Purchase funded by the V&A Americas Foundation through the generosity of the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"72.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Jacket","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"45","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Shoulder to shoulder","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Jacket","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"62.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Sleeve length","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Jacket","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"79.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Shirt","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"42.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Shoulder to shoulder","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Shirt","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"62.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Sleeve length","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Shirt","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"111.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Trousers","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"38.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Waist","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Trousers","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"83.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Bow tie","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"88.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Suspenders","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"37.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Left sock","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"40","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Right sock","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"THE MAN'S SHOP AT\nHARRODS\nMADE IN ENGLAND P DRY CLEAN ONLY\nSILK SEIDE SOIE","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Embroidered label on bow tie"},{"content":"BROOKS BROTHERS","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Stamped on leather fastening of suspenders"},{"content":"BROOKS BROTHERS\r\nESTABLISHED 1818","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Engraved on metal suspender clips"}],"objectHistory":"Peter John Hall was a British-born American costume designer who worked principally in theatre, opera and ballet. \n\nBowie, having admired Hall's work in New York, commissioned him to create bespoke costumes his<i> Serious Moonlight Tour</i> in 1983. Bowie cited his inspirations for his image in this era as 1950s Singaporean tailoring, Paul Newman, and Little Richard. Bowie commented that Hall was deeply involved in every part of the process, noting that Hall 'chose all the materials and came to see how everything would look under our lighting'. In return, Hall described Bowie as 'serious, intellectual, wonderful to work with'. \n\nNicholas Pegg writes in<i> The Complete David Bowie </i>that 'Bowie devised his two-piece pastel suits with wardrobe designer Peter Hall, whose work he had admired in recent New York productions of<i> La Bohème</i> and <i>Zoot Suit</i>. For most concerts David would begin in a powder-blue suit and striped schoolboy tie, changing during the 15-minute interval (usually between 'White Light/White Heat' and 'Station To Station') into a peach two-piece with a polka-dot bowtie slung around the collar. Other outfits included a lime-green suit and a white naval jacket with gold piping. His handsome thirtysomething features were highlighted by a candyfloss mop of peroxide hair'. \n\nJustin Quirk describes Bowie's aesthetic of this period as '...a world of Englishmen going slowly mad in the sun, dressed for a time and a lifestyle that no longer existed' and  writes that 'on the surface, Bowie’s 1983 reinvention was his move into the mainstream. But under the tan and the teeth, the themes conjured up by his suit were still the same: alienation, a lost dream of the past and a sense of standing somewhere outside things.'","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Costume designed by Peter Hall for David Bowie, for the <i>Serious Moonlight Tour,</i> 1983","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[{"text":"Concert tour: The Serious Moonlight Tour (18 May - 8 Dec 1983)","id":"AUTH401681"}],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.308:1-2024","S.308:2-2024","S.308:3-2024","S.308:4-2024","S.308:5-2024","S.308:6-2024","S.308:7-2024"],"accessionNumberNum":"308","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2024,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"David Bowie Archive Number","id":"THES394108"},"number":"1983.2007.0002"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-27","recordCreationDate":"2024-03-19","availableToBook":false}}