We all remember The Supremes right? To celebrate Mowtown Record's 50th anniversary, The Fashion Museum in Bath, UK has an exhibition on this month displaying the performance costumes worn by the Supremes. Over 50 outfits can be viewed.
The Supremes were the premier act of Mowtown Records during the 1960s and were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts. To date they remain America's most successful vocal group with 12 number one singles. At their peak in the mid-1960s, The Supremes rivaled The Beatles in worldwide popularity.
With the help of Mowtown choreographer Cholly Atkins, The Supremes did away with plain appearance and basic dance routines. Instead, they wore high-fashion gowns and wigs with dramatic makeup. Apparently they were instructed to perform as if they were before royalty - with grace and elegance. Motown wanted them to be equally appealing to black and white audiences, seeking to erase the image of black performers as being unrefined or lacking class.
Their costumes were indeed elegant. Often wearing full length gowns trimmed with furs and feathers or studded with jewels. Very glamorous!
3 comments:
I love The Supremes. Great photos. That's so awesome. It would be fantastic to see. Cheers!
I love the Supremes and still listen to their music. They really did what they set out to do with the fashion & statement they wanted to make. It would be so fun to see the exhibition!
What fantastic costumes, I've always loved the Supremes - and Motown music in general. Thank you for highlighting these wonderful pieces, hon!
Big hugs & happy weekend wishes,
♥ Jessica
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