This outfit is part of a group of objects donated by Mr Wilson David. The striking ensemble of shirt, bellbottom pants and belt with sequins were worn by David for his stage performances. A local singer-performer who paid tribute to Elvis Presley, David has been likened to the Rock and Roll King. David took to dressing in costumes modeled after Presley’s. With long sideburns and crooning style, and dressed in tailored pantsuits, broad belts and shoes, he performed to full houses in Singapore. Especially in the 1960s, he was the opening act for several international artists (Helen Shapiro, Freddie and the Dreamers, Honeycombs) and thus contributed to the local popular music scene. However, David’s pantsuits are unlike that of Presley’s costume, which were basically jumpsuits. Still David’s adoption of the Presley costume is significant as it shows how Presley’s sartorial appearance was received in Singapore. Presley's single-piece costumes were specifically designed to accommodate his robust signature movements on stage. The star wore the first jumpsuit on January 14, 1973 for the TV special program, Elvis Aloha from Hawaii. Designed by Bill Belew, this famous costume was called Aloha.
