Prince | Three-piece "Purple Rain" era outfit, ca. 1984

Prince

Three-piece Purple Rain era outfit, ca. 1984

Comprising: White button-down shirt with collar and ruffled chest. Lightweight cotton with cufflinks, faux pearl buttons, tag sewn inside embroidered with purple thread reading "Prince"; stain on the inside cuff, elastic on sleeves a bit worn. — Purple moire pants with pearlescent accent buttons along each pant leg, elastic ruching at ankles; scattered wear, stains and discoloration, short tear to seat of pants, bottoms of pant legs bearing the heaviest wear, all consistent with use. —Metallic purple trench coat with belt, high collar, silver pyramid studs on right shoulder panel, epaulettes, cuff bands, silver buttons, and satin black paisley lining. Clothing tag in right breast pocket, now detached, reads "... Prince — Purple Rain | Poets & Dreamers"; scattered wear, loose threads, and a few spots of discoloration.

[With:] an LOA signed by Helen Hiatt (describing the White Button-Down Shirt and Cufflinks only); an issue of the Prince fan club magazine Controversy, depicting Prince in this shirt; and issues of Time and Star Parade magazine depicting Prince in this style Purple Rain trench.

"Dearly Beloved… We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life..."

Prince's Purple Rain era found the artist at the height of his musical and creative prowess, combining rock, R&B, and gospel to create an enduring piece of modern rock balladry. The studio album, film, and subsequent tour were defined by an aesthetic that balanced different styles: ruffled romanticism and punk rock studs mixed together in a sea of metallic purple. It was a compelling balance of masculine tailoring and feminine materials, a tension that only heightened Prince's incredible allure.

All three pieces were worn by Prince during the Purple Rain era: the Jacket was stage-worn during the tour circa 1984, the shirt and cufflinks were worn by him, and are pictured in the issue of Controversy which accompanies this lot; and the pants show evidence of heavy performance wear.

PROVENANCE:

Helen Hiatt, costume designer for Prince, 1985-1991 (Shirt and cufflinks only); Bonhams Chelsea, 19 August 1999, lot 434 (Jacket); Bobby Z, drummer in The Revolution (pants)