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Liberace
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Western bowtie: “Inside Out: Liberace and the Art of Costume” features a collection of bowties and boots worn by Liberace. Inspiration for many of his costumes came from the American West, the adopted home of the Milwaukee-born pianist. This beaded bowtie
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Red, white, and blue hot pants: Liberace donned this patriotic ensemble in 1986 as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. The embellishments of silver bugle beads and crystals give the illusion of separate garments, but the hot pants
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Rococo suit and sketch: Liberace found inspiration in the elegance and extravagance of the European courts, and this ensemble celebrates rococo, a mid-eighteenth century style tied to King Louis XV of France. The swallow-tailed cutaway coat features cryst
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Hapsburg suit, boots and cape: Designed by Michael Travis in 1983, this ensemble features the double-headed eagle, associated with the rulers of the Austrian Empire, the Hapsburgs. The suit is heavily appliqued using gold lamé and bands of gold bugle bead
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Fabergé suit: Perhaps the most ornate of Liberace’s costumes, this pink gabardine and silk suit is covered with satin appliques, pastel seed and bugle beads, crystals, and pearls. He wore this jumpsuit and tailcoat in his Radio City Music Hall Easter show
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Christmas cape: In 1980, Liberace wore this gabardine and white fox cape for his Christmas appearances at the Las Vegas Hilton and then again at Radio City Music Hall in 1985. The cape demonstrates the skill of Anna Nateece, a Greek-born master furrier wh
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