Item 2022.62.2 - Mr Freedom Striped Suit Trousers

2022.62.2

Mr Freedom Striped Suit Trousers

Item

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Suit trousers in a satin fabric. The trousers have vertical stripes in red, yellow, purple and black. The stripes vary in width and between each colour is a thin, turquoise stripe, just under 3mm in width. Trousers fasten at the front via a zip with a single red, plastic button at the waistband. There is top stitching in red around the fly and to add detailing to the waistband. There are no belt loops. Angled pockets sit at either side of the waist and these are also outlined by contrasting red stitching. This stitching continues from the pockets to the back of the trousers, forming an M shape. There are no back pockets or darts. The hem of each trouser leg has been turned up by hand. At the back of the waistband there is also evidence that they were taken in at some stage. The trousers are unlined.

Label: Mr Freedom / 32 / This garment is dry clean only
Materials: Satin, Plastic [Buttons], Metal [Zip]
Measurements: 39.5cm [Waist]; 78cm [Inside Leg]; 105cm [Length];
Details: No belt loops, zip fastening
Physical Condition: Generally good; evidence that trousers have been altered.

This multicoloured striped satin suit was purchased from Tommy Roberts' boutique Mr. Freedom, which opened in 1969 at 430 Kings Road in London and was named after William Klein's spoof anti-war film of the same name, which was released earlier that year. The store’s location was previously occupied by the menswear boutique Hung on You. The store became well-known for its bold pop-art style, which was graphic, vibrant, and favoured satin and other shiny fabrics. It carried both men's and women's clothing by Roberts and other designers, and customers included Elton John, Mick Jagger, and Marc Bolan. The shop was extremely influential, and in 1971, Cecil Beaton's ground-breaking exhibition 'Fashion: An Anthology' at the V&A museum dedicated an entire section to Mr. Freedom, displaying 24 garments from the store. Roberts closed the Mr. Freedom boutique a year later, in 1972, and opened City Lights Studio in Covent Garden, where he sold dark, tailored suits for men and women.