In a ceremony held on September 19, 2017 at the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School in Brownsville, TN, officials from Tennessee State joined Tina Turner’s longtime friend and Executive Personal Assistant Rhonda Graam and Tina Turner Museum Executive Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark, to debut the ensemble which was personally selected by the Tennessee native and international music icon.
“It is an honor for the Tennessee State Museum to receive this gift from Tina Turner for our museum’s collection,” says Tennessee State Museum Executive Director Ashley Howell. “As one of our state’s most famous entertainers, it is important for us to interpret her legacy as we present Tennessee’s rich music history for future generations. The State Museum values the relationship we have with Tina Turner Museum at the Flagg Grove School and with the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center and looks forward to future collaborations.”
The jacket and skirt were created by world renowned fashion designer Rifat Ozbek, a twice-awarded “Designer of the Year” winner by the British Fashion Council. His designs have been worn by Tina, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Sarah-Jessica Parker, and Kylie Minogue among many others. The items Tina selected were donned in a photoshoot for her six-time platinum Foreign Affair album with the images above captured by Herb Ritts in 1989. Released on September 13, 1989, the album featured what would become signature hits “The Best,” “Steamy Windows,” and “I Don’t Wanna Lose You.”
Fans can view Tina’s outfit on temporary display at the Tina Turner Museum throughout the 2017 Tina Turner Heritage Days (TTHD) this Friday, September 22
to Sunday, September 24, before it is sent to the Tennessee State Museum.
The 2017 TTHD will feature tours to Tina’s hometown of Nutbush, TN, a Q&A with former Ikette Miss Robbie Montgomery of the Oprah Winfrey Network’s Sweetie Pie’s and a performance at Tina’s former high school Carver High by Las Vegas Diva Larry Edwards (Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous). More information and tickets can be purchased HERE!
