A sketch of The Jackson 5 in clothes envisioned and made for the band by designer Boyd Clopton.
In addition to creating unique stagewear and costumes for acts like The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes and Aretha Franklin (among many, many others), Boyd Clopton was also a talented painter whose personal works have been known to fetch as much as twenty grand when they become available.
A resident of Venice Beach during the glorious time it was still very much a mecca for bohemian beat poets, musicians, and creatives, Clopton lived there for three decades starting sometime in 1960 when he was in his late 20s. In the early 70s, Clopton’s wildly groovy designs were being worn almost exclusively by The Jackson 5 during their live shows, television appearances, and photo shoots. Aretha Franklin was also a fan of Clopton’s duds and would make it a point to seek him out whenever she was in Los Angeles (as mentioned in a 1974 interview published in Ebony magazine). Like other designers, Clopton would sketch out his concept clothing on paper for his clients. Unfortunately, Clopton’s career was cut short by his untimely death in 1989 at the age of 55. Single articles of clothing designed by Clopton have sold for hundreds and even thousands of dollars in auctions as have his sketches—many which reside in an archive maintained by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Below, some examples of Clopton’s fantastic sketches featuring his famous muses, as well as a few shots of The Jackson 5 wearing his outrageous outfits in real life. Keep it funky, now.
A sketch of Marlon Jackson of The Jackson 5 in one of Clopton’s designs.
The Jackson 5.
Dusty Springfield 1972.
For Stevie Wonder and his ex-wife Syreeta Wright.
Jefferson Starship.
Mick Jagger.
The 5th Dimension.
Aretha Franklin.
1975.
The Jackson 5.
An outfit designed by Clopton for teen idol Bobby Sherman.
An outfit designed by Clopton for the ‘White Knight of Soul,’ Wayne Cochran.
For Aretha Franklin.
Clopton’s design for Stevie Wonder FTW!
Country music legend Glen Campbell.
1973.
Outfits designed by Clopton for The Jackson 5.
Clopton’s original sketch and the finished results worn by The Jackson 5.
A photo of one of Clopton’s designs for Michael Jackson alongside an image of Jackson wearing a fully styled version on stage.
Another publicity shot of The Jackson 5 clad in clothes designed by Clopton.
The Jackson 5 wearing a matching ensamble designed by Clopton.
Footage of The Jackson 5 performing on ‘The Flip Wilson Show’ in costumes designed by Boyd Clopton (pictured above), 1971.
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
They Sold Their Souls for Rock N Roll: The Michael Jackson, Aleister Crowley, Liberace connection
A whole bunch of flamboyant clothing worn over the years by Russell Mael of Sparks
Psychodandy: Jesus and Mary Chain-inspired clothing collection