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Clothing and Accessories
Men's Clothing ➔ Blazer

Identifier:

2017.30.4

Description:

This artifact is part of a collection of official attire associated with the 500 Festival, donated by David and Nancy Huhn to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

This is a men’s red blazer with the 500 Festival logo embroidered in red, white, yellow, and blue threads on the right breast. “DIRECTOR” is embroidered in black thread above the logo. The blazer is lined with a beige synthetic material. It has a single center vent in the back. There are two flap pockets in the front of the blazer; there is a single pocket in the left breast; there are two inside pockets, right and left, the right of which is sewn closed by the logo embroidery, the left of which has a plastic, beige button enclosure. The rest of the blazer’s buttons are pewter-colored metal (or plastic?) and depict an intaglio image of a front- or back-view of a racecar. There are two enclosure buttons in front of the blazer and three smaller buttons along each sleeve vent. A large label inside the front right lapel reads: “BILL BLASS / MENSWEAR / TAILORED FOR / PARISIAN” - this label is partially obscured by the logo embroidery.  A small tag on the left interior of the blazer reads: “100% PURE WOOL / DRY CLEAN ONLY”. A small tag inside the collar reads: “DRY CLEAN ONLY / MADE IN USA”
 
The blazer would likely have been paired with a pair of houndstooth print pants and two silk accessories: a four-in-hand necktie and a pocket square. The pattern on the silk accessories consists of a racecar silhouette (found also on the blazer’s buttons) repeated in red against a black background, and black against a red background.

The 500 Festival is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization founded in 1957 to organize various civic events in the city of Indianapolis leading up to the Indianapolis 500 race. According to the festival’s website, its mission is “to produce life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana.” The two largest events are a mini-marathon held in early May, and a parade held the day before the race. Other events have included "Community Day" at the track, a “Kids’ Day,” memorial services, luncheons, the 500 Festival Princess Program (a scholarship pageant) and the annual Snake Pit Ball (a black tie socialite gathering downtown).

David Huhn, a Michigan native and longtime Grand Rapids resident, was a member of the 500 Festival Committee Board of Directors for three years, from 1997 - 1999. He and his wife Nancy acquired this 500 Festival official attire in the course of fulfilling duties associated with the festival’s board membership.

Date:

1998

Materials:

Wool, Synthetic fabric lining

Current Location Status:

In Storage

Collection Tier:

Tier 2

Source:

Gift of David and Nancy Huhn

Links:

http://www.500festival.com/
https://cfda.com/members/profile/bill-blass

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Related Entities:

Huhn, David and Nancy (donor)
David Huhn was a 500 Festival Committee Board Member, 1997-1999. He and his wife Nancy are longtime Grand Rapids residents. Blass, Bill (creator)
Bill Blass was an American fashion designer who began his career in New York in 1945. In 1970, he bought Maurice Rentner, LLC after their success in menswear and womenswear, and renamed it Bill Blass Limited. Over the next 30 years, he expanded their lines to include swimwear, furs, luggage, perfume, and chocolate. 

Bill Blass passed away in 2002. In 2018, the company is currently run by Creative Director Chris Benz.

For more information, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Blass#Fashion_career Parisian (sold by)
Alternate names: Parisian Signature

Department Store

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