Pair of Boots
1990 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These 'Timberland' leather boots formed part of an outfit put together by photographer and DJ Normski and hiphop clothing suppliers Four Star General for the exhibition Streetstyle, From Sidewalk to Catwalk, 1940 to Tomorrow held at the V&A in 1994-5. The complete outfit consisted of a ‘Zulu Nation’ baseball cap; a ‘Four Star General’ cotton and corduroy jacket and trousers; an ‘African-American Alumni’ cotton sweatshirt; three pendants and the boots. The outfit reflected a style of ‘Afrocentric B-Boy’ dress worn by young men in Britain around 1990.
‘Afrocentric’ describes the celebration of African culture by African-Americans in the late 1980s. The movement was popularised by US bands such as Arrested Development, Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest whose clothes and accessories reflected their African heritage. This outfit includes a pendant in the shape of the African continent, a jacket and trousers with kente-cloth style edging and a string of ‘trade beads’ (glass beads historically made in Europe for trade in West Africa).
‘B-Boy’ was the name given to young, urban African-Americans associated with the Rap and Hip-Hop scene. The term came into usage in Britain through hit singles by Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. It was associated with labelled sports clothes, specific brands of trainers, baseball caps and chunky jewellery.
‘Afrocentric’ describes the celebration of African culture by African-Americans in the late 1980s. The movement was popularised by US bands such as Arrested Development, Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest whose clothes and accessories reflected their African heritage. This outfit includes a pendant in the shape of the African continent, a jacket and trousers with kente-cloth style edging and a string of ‘trade beads’ (glass beads historically made in Europe for trade in West Africa).
‘B-Boy’ was the name given to young, urban African-Americans associated with the Rap and Hip-Hop scene. The term came into usage in Britain through hit singles by Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. It was associated with labelled sports clothes, specific brands of trainers, baseball caps and chunky jewellery.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Suede |
| Brief description | Boots, tan suede, Timberland, United States, 1990 |
| Physical description | Pair of tan suede boots with lace-ups ankle style. |
| Dimensions | Size 7W |
| Gallery label | CLASSIC RUGGED HANDSEWN SHOE,
"50009 RANGE ROVER"
Handsewn moccasin-style shoe in oiled burgundy leather with raw-hide lacing and heavy rubber tread sole
SIX-INCH PREMIUM WATERPROOF HIKING BOOT "10061 WHEAT NUBUCK"
Timberland Company, USA
Light tan, silicone treated leather laced boot with padded ankle cuff and heavy rubber tread sole
Given by Timberland Company
T.194, T.195-1990
The family-run Abington Boot Company in Hampton, New Hampshire has produced hand-crafted boots for generations. Timberland shoes (their name since 1972) are exceptionally well-made, combining traditional workmanship with the latest technology. They are a classic example of an article of clothing that has crossed the divide to become fashionable dress. Their popularity in recent years as a highly visible street-fashion trend symbolizes the younger generation's growing ecological concern and "new age" approach to fashion,(1990) |
| Credit line | Given by the manufacturer |
| Object history | Registered File number 1990/494, Streetstyle exhibition 1994-1995, in the exhibition it was part of an outfit called 'Afrocentric B-Boy UK c1990' (includes the sweatshirt T.1032-1994, the suit, jacket T.1033-1994 and trousers T.1034-1994, and the baseball cap T.1035-1994). |
| Summary | These 'Timberland' leather boots formed part of an outfit put together by photographer and DJ Normski and hiphop clothing suppliers Four Star General for the exhibition Streetstyle, From Sidewalk to Catwalk, 1940 to Tomorrow held at the V&A in 1994-5. The complete outfit consisted of a ‘Zulu Nation’ baseball cap; a ‘Four Star General’ cotton and corduroy jacket and trousers; an ‘African-American Alumni’ cotton sweatshirt; three pendants and the boots. The outfit reflected a style of ‘Afrocentric B-Boy’ dress worn by young men in Britain around 1990. ‘Afrocentric’ describes the celebration of African culture by African-Americans in the late 1980s. The movement was popularised by US bands such as Arrested Development, Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest whose clothes and accessories reflected their African heritage. This outfit includes a pendant in the shape of the African continent, a jacket and trousers with kente-cloth style edging and a string of ‘trade beads’ (glass beads historically made in Europe for trade in West Africa). ‘B-Boy’ was the name given to young, urban African-Americans associated with the Rap and Hip-Hop scene. The term came into usage in Britain through hit singles by Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. It was associated with labelled sports clothes, specific brands of trainers, baseball caps and chunky jewellery. |
| Bibliographic reference | Surfers, Soulies, Skinheads & Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties
Described in the exhibition publication, part of an outfit called 'Afrocentric B-Boy UK c1990'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.194&A-1990 |
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| Record created | April 11, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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