Coat worn by Prince in "Purple Rain"

Titles: Coat worn by Prince in "Purple Rain" (Supplied title)

Description: Coat worn by Prince in the movie Purple Rain, 1984. Regency-style, it is made of shiny purple moire fabric. There is a notched collar with the collar folded high and closely fitted to the neck. There are shoulder epaulets and partial sleeve straps at the wrist of long, slim set-in sleeves. The coat is double-breasted with flat silver buttons and buttonholes for closure. There are silver-colored studs on a flap covering the right front shoulder area. The coat also has side front and upper left breast diagonal welt pockets, center back slit, and silver-buckled self-fabric belt held in place by belt loops. The coat is completely lined with a black shiny fabric and has hidden thick shoulder pads. There is no label. See ID Numbers 1987.124.1 through 1987.124.7 for other pieces of the Purple Rain costume.

Dates

• 1984 (Use)

Creation

• made by: Wells, Louis
• made by: Vaughn, Terry
• designer: France, Marie
• used by: Prince

Identifiers

• Accession Number: 1987.124.2

Credit: Minnesota Historical Society Collections, Gift of PRN Productions

Notes

• Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson, wore this outfit while performing the title song from his movie "Purple Rain." The song was recorded at First Avenue, a Minneapolis nightclub. The film was made in Minnesota during November and December of 1983. The outfit consists of a purple moire Regency-style coat, black velour-knit pants, a white silk shirt, purple lace knit gloves, a black patterned net headband, and black leather 4 inch high heel boots. The outfit was designed and made by Louis Wells, Vaughn Terry and Marie France, who all worked for PRN Productions when the movie was filmed.

Holding Type: 3D Objects

Quantity: 1 item

Format

• Content Category: artifacts

Measurements

• 41 inches length
• 20 inches width (at shoulders)

Subjects

How can we help?

• Help / About Collections Online
• Learn about the Collections
• Contact the Gale Family Library for help with research, orders, and use/licensing
• Have feedback or comments on the new Collections Online system? Please fill in the Collections Online Feedback Form.