The costume was designed by Billy Goodwin, a tailor who made costumes for pop performers at his premises in Darlinghurst. Goodwin made John Paul Young's sailor's shirt and outfits for other bands. William Shakespeare briefed Goodwin on the sort of costume he required.

The costume was made by Billy Goodwin, who also designed it.

'William Shakespeare recalls the costume being designed and made in February or March 1977.

The costume was worn on stage by William Shakespeare during performances around Australia, in New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong. He wore it on numerous television appearances including Donny Sutherland's 1985 special 'Ten Years of Sounds' and on the D. Generation's 'Late Show and 'Live and Sweaty' in 1993.
William Shakespeare lent this costume to the museum in 1993 for the 'Real Wild Child' exhibition.

Costume, worn by singer William Shakespeare, (real name: John Cave), fabric/leather/sequins/glass, Billy Goodwin, Australia, 1977.
Stage costume, worn by pop singer William Shakespeare, consisting of jumpsuit, and cape, with matching boots.
-1 Long sleeved jumpsuit, made of off-white synthetic fabric, which is entirely covered with silver sequins, with blue and green sequins forming a zig-zag pattern on the lapels, and lightning bolts at the front of the knees. Frill necked ruff at neck which is decorated with small mirror squares, blue rhinestones and blue and pink sequins. Fastens with a metal zipper running up the centre front of the suit with a metal hook and eye at the top of the zipper. Unlined. The pants are badly worn in the seat.
-2 Cape made of shiny silver synthetic fabric, fully lined with purple [satin]. The neckline and front are decorated with geometric patterns of blue and green sequins and small mirror squares, there are blue and green rhinestones all over the front of the cape. Fastens at centre front with a large metal press-stud. Wrist loops made of silver synthetic fabric attached to left and right sides. Silver synthetic fabric is fraying along some edges and purple lining is marked from the attachment of mirrors, rhinestones and sequins to the front of the cape.
-3/1:2 Pair of knee length, leather boots. Platform soles with a straight wooden heel and a rounded toe. The boots consist of leather uppers featuring a high shaped vamp and knee length leg seamed at front and back of leg and at front section of inner and outer leg. Metal zippers cut into inside leg. The boots have a leather sock and are lined with leather which is torn in parts and seamed at the front and back of the leg. The boots have a leather out sole which has a makers mark stamped at the waist. The boots are painted gold all over, except the heels which are not painted, and are decorated with green and blue sequins in zig-zag patterns down centre front of the leg, some sequins are missing. Soles and heels are worn.

Made: Goodwin, Billy; Darlinghurst, New South Wales; 1977

: Goodwin, Billy; Darlinghurst, New South Wales

Used: Cave, John "William Shakespeare"; Australia

Owned: Cave, John "William Shakespeare"; Australia

-3/1:2 Each boot stamped with illegible makers stamp and '7 X' on out-sole, waist. -3/1 has a handwritten inscription 'ci-c'. 'YKK' in relief on zipper of each boot.

95/212/1

1977

1825 mm

705 mm

260 mm