| 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977-78 | 1979-80 | 1981-82 |
ACE 'S COSTUMES
Dynasty
& Unmasked tours 1979/80 |
| In 1979 KISS was no longer just KISS, but SuperKISS! And
the new outfits were reflecting the new superhero image! For the solo albums each member had gotten their own signature color, and this was incorporated into the outfits, and the shows as well.  |
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Aces
costume (picture A and B) changed very little during this period. It looked a lot like his
1974 outfit (with a bit of his Destroyer costume thrown in), with the big triangle
on the upper body. This version however was in Aces blue signature color, with triangular
pieces of mirror and rhinestones glued to it. Because of the mirror pieces, the costume
has been known as the smashed mirror outfit in fan circles. Ace for the first time, also
wore a codpiece (a silver codpiece, of course).
The outfit also consisted of a couple of armbands, and a couple of cuffs, both in the same
design as the "triangle" upper body piece. The finishing touch was the
impressive floor length silver cape (picture C), that Ace wore for photo shoots, and
usually also the first half of the concerts.
Picture A shows the prototype version of the costume... there is very little difference,
but if you look closely, you'll notice that the cut around the neck is deeper (you see
more of Ace's body here, than on picture B). Also notice that the silver border ends in a
tip that overlaps the diamond-shape in the middle of the chest. It doesn't do that on
picture B.
Picture B also shows you the shape of the upper body triangle from the side. Notice how
the triangle is bend on the front, while it goes straight down in the back!!
As usual Ace wore a leotard underneath (picture D), which had sleeves and a large Ace
"logo" on the back, in silver with a lightning bolt under it.
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The only other difference between the prototype and the
finished version of the costume, was the armbands seen in picture E and F. Notice how the
mirror pieces are lying down on the prototype version (circled in on picture E), while
they are standing on the end on the finished version (circled in on picture F).
Pictures G - H shows a detail from the costume. The large "diamond" on Ace's
chest had actually some light installed, which could be switched on-and-off, by the switch
circled in on picture H. I don't think this was ever used in concert... and the light box
was quickly dropped! It only appears in early promotional pictures and the "I Was
Made For Lovin' You" and "Sure Know Something" video clips!
As you can see in picture G the box stuck quite far out of the chest plate, while the one
seen in picture I were flat (probably just a piece of mirror with the "diamond"
attached to it... by the way, the "diamond" is now standing in the end!!).
Picture I also shows Ace's silver collar (circled in) for the costume, which was only used
occasionally.
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The
back of Ace's costume is seen in picture J! Sadly, I haven't been able to find any
pictures of the backside, with the cape attached!!
During the encores of the shows, Ace would usually appear on stage without the cuffs, and
the sleeves of the leotard rolled up, as seen on picture K!
Picture L and M shows the boots, which were silver (no surprise there), and also had a
blue piece with mirror bits and rhinestones. But the blue piece was actually detachable,
and on picture H you can see the boot without the top!
Picture N shows Paul goofing around with Ace's outfit in Australia in November 1980. This
is the only picture I have ever seen, with anybody in the band wearing someone else's
costume.
return
to KISS costumes main page
Many thanks to Jan Laursen for
letting us use these pages.
Here is the link to his website:
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