Dressed to sing
Private outfits and stage attire worn by some of the world's best-known singers arrive in Bangkok
Hard Rock Cafe in Bangkok recently played host to the travelling exhibition, “Hard Rock’s Treasures – Exhibition World Tour” which showcases 50 years of rock & pop fashion.
On display are 10 iconic outfits worn by Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Prince, T-Rex’s Marc Bolan, No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga.
Our tour of the exhibition opened with a talk by music guru Amporn Chakraphak, who is best known by her penname “Silom”, and Alisara Sirichoomsang, a DJ with VR1 Radio Report 101.
“In the past, it was Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart who served as the trend-setters. They wore clothes that were out of the reach of ordinary folk. When Elvis burst on to the scene in the 1950s, the teenagers went wild and immediately copied his drainpipe trousers and leather jacket. James Dean was also a major fashion influence for the young,” says Amporn.
“The 1960s saw a major fashion evolution and by the end of that decade, the hippie and flower child look was blooming. Dance reigned in the 1970s,with everyone sporting disco pants, tight-fitting shirts and Afro hairstyles.”
To the sounds of “Jailhouse Rock”, Amporn and Alisara led guests to an outfit worn by Elvis Presley, which is valued at US$13,000 (Bt390,000).
“I had never seen this outfit before today. Most people knew Elvis for his jumpsuits. This outfit rather looks smooth. I can’t find any information of this costume so I can only presume he wore it at home,” Amporn said.
The next outfit by Prince was worn during a concert in 1980s and also features a note written by the singer. It reads “Perhaps, U’d like 2 join Us in a Mission of Fishing 4 Logic in a Think Tank.” It’s worth $10,266.
“Most of his outfits were decorated with an ornamental fringe. He was very theatrical,” said Amporn.
Britney Spears signed her waitress costume featured in the music video of her single “You Drive Me Crazy” from the album “Baby One More Time”. Gwen Stefani’s outfit made its debut at the “KROQ Acoustic Christmas” concert in Los Angeles in 1997.
Also on show is a private outfit worn by T-Rex’s songwriter, guitarist and singer Marc Bolan.
“I guess many people won’t have heard of Bolan. He was very popular in the ’70s but died in a tragic car accident just before his 30th birthday in 1977. He and his band were really into glam rock,” Alisara said.
Johnny Cash’s outfit is priced Bt200,000. “His outfit is included in this exhibition because of his influence on the next generations of artists. He was known as the ‘Man in Black’ and once said he always wore black because he wanted people to know that there are plenty of poor people in this world.”
The exhibition also displayed the cowboy jacket worn by The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood at his 60th birthday party and Mick Jagger’s long solider-style long jacket designed for The Stones’ “Steel Wheels” tour. Jagger’s comes together a note that reads” “Thanks a lot for your letter. Glad you like you our latest disc. Sorry I haven’t time to write more, must go on.”
Lady Gaga’s hit “Poker Face” blares out as we move to her outfit inspired by “The Addams Family” and to admire Justin Timberlake’s tuxedo worn both on stage and for music video of “Gone” on ‘N Sync’s third album “Celebrity” in 2001.
The celebrity showcase wrapped with a show by The Voice Thailand’s Tachaya “Keng” Patumwan, Pichet “King” Buakhum, Natthawut “Max” Jenmana and Sarocha “Suay” Senarattana.
