Man’s ensemble of upcycled GAP denim pants and vest with sequins and beads, Nicola Bowery, 1989

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Man’s ensemble of upcycled GAP denim pants and vest with sequins and beads by Nicola Bowery, 1989

Glitter’s strong association with LGBTQ+ culture is evident in this ensemble. It is made entirely from repurposed denim by Nicola Bowery, the wife of the gender-bending performance artist Leigh Bowery. The ensemble was worn at the inaugural Love Ball, one of the first AIDS fundraisers, in 1989.

Details

Nicola Bowery

Man’s ensemble of upcycled GAP denim pants and vest with sequins and beads

1989, USA

The Museum at FIT, 2012.19.1

Gift of Freddie Leiba

Man’s ensemble of denim vest and jeans covered in sequins in various shades of blue and gold.

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Crystals, rhinestones, sequins, & beads

Fashion has used applied embellishments for centuries, using shiny facets and the movement of dangling pieces, such as beads and crystals, to draw the eye. Sequins are often made of plastic, though environmentally conscious designers have experimented with seaweed-based sequins, to maximize glamour while minimizing the ecological impact.