Identity area
Reference code
2022.2
Title
Joe Casely-Hayford Playing Card Moleskin Trousers
Date(s)
- 1997 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
1
Context area
Name of creator
(1984-2005)
Administrative history
Menswear and women's wear label established by designer Joseph Ephraim Casely-Hayford OBE (1956-2019) in London. It was initially stocked by London fashion boutiques such as Jones, Joseph and Crolla as well as stores in New York. Garments featured the Joe Casely-Hayford playing card brand label between 1989 and 1994. The label showed runway collections in Paris, London and Tokyo, was sold internationally, and was particularly successful in Japan. In 2009 Joe Casely-Hayford launched a new luxury menswear brand called Casely-Hayford in collaboration with his son Charlie Casely-Hayford.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Beige moleskin trousers featuring a front fastening with five brass buttons on a concealed button placket. The trousers have two curved front pockets, with a small coin pocket inside the right pocket, both secured by brass rivets at the top corners. At the back are two patch pockets. The trousers are accented with white contrast stitching around the fly, waistband, pockets, side seams (to hip level), and the hem of each leg. A distinctive design element includes 22 wool appliqués in the shapes of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds, applied to the trousers with raw, heavily frayed edges. The trousers are unlined.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Garment Label: Joe Casely-Hayford / London
Care Label: Made in England / 85% Cotton / 15% Polyester
Measurements: 28 Inches [Waist], 33 Inches [Inside Leg]
Details: Button fly, playing card design
Physical Condition: Tear to back right seam where the waistband attached to the rest of the trousers
Care Label: Made in England / 85% Cotton / 15% Polyester
Measurements: 28 Inches [Waist], 33 Inches [Inside Leg]
Details: Button fly, playing card design
Physical Condition: Tear to back right seam where the waistband attached to the rest of the trousers
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
From Inside the Westminster Menswear Archive:
PLAYING CARD TROUSERS
Joe Casely-Hayford
1997
Moleskin is a tightly woven cotton twill fabric, also sometimes known as fustian, that has been sheared and brushed on one side to create its short pile – said to feel as smooth as the skin of a mole. The fabric was patented in 1803 and, because it was durable, warm and windproof, it quickly joined corduroy as the main fabric used make clothing for men working in jobs doing hard physical labour. These moleskin trousers feature numerous appliqued hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds made of wool with raw and
heavily frayed edges.
Cotton, Wool
Archive no. 2022.2