Beschreibung:

Freddie Mercury's black and white top by Zandra Rhodes, with a pair of black and white flared trousers, worn on stage 1973-74
An elaborate top of black and white silk jersey, the left side flowing to around mid-calf length, the front with a deep panel of white overlaid with a black panel, all edged with white stitching, the v-shaped neckline edged in black satin with flamboyant ivory satin collar with exaggerated points, the ivory satin continuing over the back to form a panel between the shoulders, with one hook and eye fastening to front, the shoulders covered with pointed caps backed in black satin with lines of diagonal stitching, long balloon sleeves trimmed at the elbow with a black frill edged in white stitching, labelled ‘Zandra Rhodes, LONDON’, worn with a pair of bespoke stiffened satin flared trousers, the left leg white, the right black, with two-button fastening at waistband, the interior waistband lined in cream stain with a red and black diagonal stripe
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Freddie wore this combination of Zandra Rhodes top and bespoke black and white flares on stage frequently from 1973 to 1974. He wore either this outfit or another similar black and white asymmetrical outfit (lot 37) at Queen’s Imperial College shows in October-November 1973, regarded by many as landmark concerts for Queen: "It is hard to describe how momentous this gig actually was for us. Imperial College was my own college… and over the previous couple of years I had continually scrounged time in lecture theatres to rehearse the band [...] Suddenly on this little stage, in the main hall for the first time ourselves we met an energy coming back towards us.” (Brian May, quoted in Killer Queen) In a 2019 interview, Zandra Rhodes recalls being contacted by Freddie. "He hunted me out in my funny little attic…[in Bayswater] with Brian May”, where they tried on various clothes to see what would feel and look right: "Freddie wanted boldness and expressiveness”. From contemporary photographs, it would appear that this black and white top was first worn in late 1973 whereas the famous white batwing top didn’t appear on stage until March 1974. Black and white was key to Queen’s stage look for several years: "We have this black and white theme that we carry out in England and it’s very strong. It has even got to the point where the audience dress and look like me to a tee” (Freddie Mercury, quoted in Killer Queen). This top and identical trousers were worn by Freddie on numerous occasions in the months following the Imperial College gigs, including the Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, the Sunbury Pop Festival, Melbourne and Providence, Rhode Island. The latter possibly marks its last stage appearance on 27 April 1974. A page from ‘Melody Maker’ magazine from 30 March 1974 uses a photograph of Freddie on stage wearing this top used to advertise concerts at the Rainbow Theatre and the release of ‘Queen II’. Mick Rock photographed Freddie wearing this outfit with a silver choker (lot 111), and in these black and white trousers a black wool wraparound top decorated with yellow diamante (lot 39). See also lot 130 for another Zandra Rhodes black and white creation.
LITERATUREMick Rock & Queen, Killer Queen, The Official Limited Edition, Genesis Publications, 2003, pp. 12, 26-30, 38 Phil Sutcliffe, Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History Of The Crown Kings Of Rock, Voyageur Press, 2009, p.43 (‘Melody Maker’ ad illus.) Zandra Rhodes Interview, UDiscover Music Channel, YouTube, November 2019
SPECIAL NOTICENo right to reproduce or commercially exploit the copyright or other intellectual propertyor image rights in any lot is included with the sale of the lot (including but not limited tosong lyrics, sketches, drawings and garment designs). Queen Productions Limited, QueenMusic Limited and other rights holders reserve all their rights. No right to exhibit in public or reproduce this lot is included with the sale of this lotwithout the prior written consent of Queen Productions Limited, who shall act in good faithto consider any such requests.