Extensive collection of fabric swatches from the collection of PRN lead wardrobe designer Elizabeth Dorr Sidla, who used these garment samples to fashion the multitude of stylish outfits worn and used by Prince and the Revolution in the classic 1984 film, Purple Rain, and its subsequent 98-show North American Tour in 1984 and 1985. The collection consists of 12 mood (or inspiration) boards, a variety of 35 different loose garment samples, two fabric order sheets, and a four-page Purple Rain scene booklet with an accompanying batch of fabric samples, which, when tallied together, amounts to a total of 116 pieces of rare PRN wardrobe fabric dating to Prince’s most iconic and influential period.
The 12 mood boards contain a total of 66 swatches, with each board, approximately 4.25″ x 14″, containing two to 12 swatches, and the majority numbered and/or annotated by the wardrobe designers to coordinate fabric with the performer, i.e., “Ken vest,” “#1 Step, deep red suit,” “Karl rack,” “Sheila #3 suit,” “Juan suit,” “#1 choice, suit #2,” and several simply marked “P,” evidently for Prince himself.
The collection of 35 different fabric samples, which range in size from 2″ x 1.5″ to over 40″ in length, contains decadent fabrics like satin, lace, and velvet in various shades of purple, black, blue, and gold; colors and textures in keeping with eccentric elegance of the Purple Rain production.
The two “The Left Bank Fabric Company” order sheets, both one page, 8.5 x 11, contain a total of eight fabric swatches stapled to the right of both sheets, with the left sides annotated in red ink with information for “Origin,” “Content,” “Width,” and “Price.”
The four-page Purple Rain scene booklet, 4.25 x 5.25, is annotated in pencil and is marked in the upper left corner as “Q.” The booklet, which begins at scene 103 and ends at scene 124, reads, in part: “104 = Prince / 105 “ asleep / 105A = Prince Father, Mother / 106 = The Time on stage, Morris & Jerome / 107 = Dressing room, Prince & Band Wendy Lisa Jill.” Its accompanying fabric sample batch, 4.5″ x 2″, is stapled together and contains a total of seven swatches.
The Prince Estate is not affiliated, associated, or connected with RR Auction or this auction, nor has it endorsed, authenticated or sponsored the items available for auction. Further, The Prince Estate has not licensed any of its intellectual property to RR Auction.
