Rock and Pop Costume thumbnail 1
Rock and Pop Costume thumbnail 2
+28
images
Not on display

This object consists of 19 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Rock and Pop Costume

1981 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

While attending Hornsey College of Art on a graphic design course Adam Ant (born Stuart Leslie Goddard) joined ‘50s influenced pub band Bazooka Joe as bass player. The band headlined the first concert played by the Sex Pistols and this new raw sound appealed to Adam Ant. He afterwards formed the band Adam and the Ants which failed to win favour with the British music press, despite that they toured the UK extensively. Around this time Adam appeared in Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee and caught the acting bug.

Adam and the band asked Malcolm McLaren to manage them, which soon led to the separation of Adam and the band. With a change of line up, the Ants returned with a new sound and look and became one of the most successful British acts of the early 1980s. After a string of hits, Adam dissolved the band and continued with a solo music career, interspersed with acting roles on TV, film, and stage. Adam then started touring his new music, followed by a world tour showcasing his hit albums.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 19 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Tail Coats
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Jacket
  • Shirt
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Shirt
  • Shirt
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Shirt
  • Theatre Costumes
  • Breeches (Trousers)
  • Theatre Costumes
  • Breeches (Trousers)
  • Cravat
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Cravat
  • Theatre Costumes
  • Belts (Costume Accessories)
  • Cummerbund
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Cummerbund
  • Boots
  • Boots
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Rosette
  • Rosette
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Rosette
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Wig
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Wig
  • Scarf
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Scarf
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Scarf
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Braid
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Braid
  • Rock and Pop Costume
  • Braid
Brief description
'Prince Charming' costume worn by Adam Ant, 1981
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 164cm
  • Approx. width: 59cm
  • Approx. depth: 25cm
  • Shirt ( b), collar to hem length: 70cm
  • Shirt ( b), shoulder width width: 48cm
  • Breeches ( d), waist to hem length: 70cm
  • Breeches ( d), width width: 60cm
  • Packed weight of parts b and d weight: 1.1kg
  • Wig ( l), circumference circumference: 56.0cm
  • Wig ( m), circumference circumference: 56.0cm
  • Wig( l) laid flat length: 65cm
  • Wig( l) laid flat width: 19cm
  • Wig( m) laid flat length: 63cm
  • Wig( m) laid flat width: 26cm
  • Part l (laid flat) length: 645mm
  • Part l ( laid flat) width: 461mm
  • Part m (laid flat) length: 1322mm
  • Part m (laid flat) width: 640mm
  • Parts l and m, measured in box weight: 1.25kg
Dimensions are for whole costume measured for display including boots.
Gallery label
'Prince Charming' outfit worn by Adam Ant
1981

Adam Ant was the idiosyncratic front man of the British New Wave band Adam and the Ants. He spearheaded its artistic direction and designed all his own costumes. Now iconic, these costumes are indebted to historical, military and tribal dress. The one worn in the video for the 'Prince Charming' single is perhaps the most widely known of all. [60 words]

Wool, satin, furnishing fabric, Lurex, leather and plastic
Jacket made by Dave Whiting

Given by Stuart Leslie Goddard (known as Adam Ant)
Museum no. S.140&A, C, E to K, N, O-1983
Credit line
Given by Stuart Leslie Goddard (Adam Ant)
Object history
This multi-part costume was worn in 1981 by Adam Ant for the publicity photographs and promotional video for the single, Prince Charming, and later on tour. There are two shirts, two pairs of breeches, two wigs and two scarfs, not identical but in similar styles, all worn in different combinations on tour. The gold and black striped shirt (S.140A-1983) and the dark silver leather breeches (S.140C-1983) were worn for the publicity photographs and in the video.
Summary
While attending Hornsey College of Art on a graphic design course Adam Ant (born Stuart Leslie Goddard) joined ‘50s influenced pub band Bazooka Joe as bass player. The band headlined the first concert played by the Sex Pistols and this new raw sound appealed to Adam Ant. He afterwards formed the band Adam and the Ants which failed to win favour with the British music press, despite that they toured the UK extensively. Around this time Adam appeared in Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee and caught the acting bug.

Adam and the band asked Malcolm McLaren to manage them, which soon led to the separation of Adam and the band. With a change of line up, the Ants returned with a new sound and look and became one of the most successful British acts of the early 1980s. After a string of hits, Adam dissolved the band and continued with a solo music career, interspersed with acting roles on TV, film, and stage. Adam then started touring his new music, followed by a world tour showcasing his hit albums.
Collection
Accession number
S.140&R-1983

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 16, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSON