Black jacket with custom painting worn by Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind and Fire

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black men's jacket with a neon orange painted and stenciled pattern designed by Bernard G. Jacobs and worn by Ralph Johnson, percussionist for Earth, Wind & Fire. The vintage jacket was customized by Elmer Ave. The single-breasted jacket has full-length straight cut sleeves, a wide notched collar, and closes at the center front with two (2) black plastic buttons. The collar of the jacket is faced in black velvet and lined in black felt. The lapels are edged with black woven tape. There is one (1) inset pocket at the proper left breast and two (2) diagonal welt pockets with flap closures, one at each front waist. The proper left front body of the jacket has been painted neon orange with heavier painted thick grid lines. Large black dots of the facing fabric are left exposed in four (4) places, including one obscured by the lapel.

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