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Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and red leather jacket worn by Kurtis Blow

1981

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

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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.

This black and red leather jacket was worn by Kurtis Blow on the cover of his album "Deuce" (1981). The motorcycle style jacket has full-length sleeves, a stand-up collar, and closes at the center front with a black zipper and five (5) metal snaps painted red. There is a red leather racing strip down each sleeve that extends onto the shoulders, with the collar also faced in red leather. The sleeves taper slightly at the wrist, ending in elastic cuffs. The waistline of the jacket body also has an elastic edge. The elastic on the waist and cuffs is sewn inside the black leather so it does not show. There are two (2) exterior diagonally oriented inset pockets, one at each front hip, that are edged with the red leather and lined with black acetate fabric. The interior of the jacket body and sleeves are fully lined with the black acetate fabric.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2015.185

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