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Museum object · Clothing - Costume

Gold velvet vest worn by Melvin Van Peebles in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song

ca. 1971

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.

A vest worn by Melvin Van Peebles as the title character of "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song." The vest is made of gold-colored velvet with an orange silk lining. It is hip-length, with slits at the bottom of each side seam and a low neckline. At front center is a round metal belt buckle closure. An interior black label with gold text reads, "Mr. Jan / MADE IN / CALIFORNIA."

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: 2012.82.2.1

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