Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

1975

  • Work on this object began.

1976

  • Work on this object ended.

2019

2020

2025

  • You found it!

Costume Design Drawing

This is a Costume design drawing. It was designed by Willi Smith and made for Ailey II, New York, New York, founded 1974.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Alvin Ailey as part of Willi Smith: Street Couture.

It is dated ca. 1975. Its medium is pen and ink, marker, graphite on paper. It is a part of the department.

Smith's illustrations for Deep South Suite adapt the extended arm that was a signature of his fashion illustrations to toned dancers' bodies with pointed toes. By drawing multiple figures on a sheet, he explored how the costumes would appear together on stage rather than as individual looks.

It is credited Courtesy of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc..

Its dimensions are

H x W: 30.5 × 45.7 cm (12 × 18 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Willi Smith: Street Couture.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318802405/ |title=Costume Design Drawing |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=6 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>