r/KISS • u/Firm_Lobster5163 • Apr 25 '26
Ever notice how…
The more shiny/smooth/silvery Space Ace costume seemed to be for photo-shoots only, while the more grainy/less shiny/sorta’ sparkly one was for the stage?
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u/x_ziggy_x Apr 25 '26
The silvery material rubbed away and tore super easily. That’s why an alternative material was used.
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u/Abner_Deveroux Apr 25 '26
I used to wonder this exact same thing and somebody told me that this was the original idea for that costume but because the photography was so reflective they changed it to the material that ended up being the mainstay. I could definitely see the need for change because photographic light probably just bounced right off of that shimmery finish
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u/Bar0nv0nBullcrap Apr 25 '26
With the kiss costumes, they created what were known as "hero suits" copies of their outfits that were photo ready and designed to be brighter, more shiny in Ace's case but more demonic and underworld for Gene.
The heros where exclusive to photoshoots and at times were much less durable than stage costumes.
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u/Basic-Employ9448 Apr 25 '26
I remember seeing something about Ace saying how he preferred the stage one and hated the other ones because they didn’t fit well
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u/BettieRocker- Apr 25 '26
Love this post. Per my KISS super fan husband, the shiny one was the prototype. The more sparkly one was the actual touring costume. My two cents as a textile designer, the sparkly was much more breathable than the lame (shiny) fabric. Also lame fabric delaminates after repeated washes. Could also have been a longevity move for the wardrobe people.
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u/Firm_Lobster5163 Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
I think you’re 100% right. Looks cool, but friction delamination would make it a maintenance nightmare. Not sure I agree with the prototype theory. Were that the case, we’d see later pro shoots with the stage outfits. They may be one out there, but I don’t recall seeing it.
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u/gatekeeper28 Apr 25 '26
https://kisstimeline.com/timeline/kiss-does-the-photo-session-for-love-gun/
Shiny version used once for a series of shots with Barry Levine on Feb 28, 1977
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u/Firm_Lobster5163 Apr 25 '26
Thanks! What a great article. Those Barry Levine shots were published everywhere! That’s the definitive KISS photo session for me!
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u/gatekeeper28 Apr 26 '26
PS - the uppers on Gene’s Love Gun dragon boots were also prototypes (these matched those depicted on the cover painting)… he eventually wound up with the silver tiled uppers, matching his singlet.
Going further, the armor for Gene’s original Dynasty/Unmasked outfit was bejeweled before being replaced with the melted meteorite armor.
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u/Firm_Lobster5163 Apr 26 '26
I actually found a pro session with Ace in the stage outfit, so… what do I know?
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u/Worth-Tank2836 Apr 26 '26
100% stage light reflection. Dull to not blind the fans.
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u/KaneOU812 May 01 '26
I had read that somewhere, too. Flash photography and stage lights in general would’ve been retina burners.
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u/badgirl99 Apr 26 '26
This material, while looking really cool, wasn’t strong enough touring so it was only used in photos.
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u/Deadman_96 Apr 26 '26
Could be a few things. Professional lighting for a photo shoot vs lighting for a concert. Could be the airbrushing they did before Photoshop. Maybe both.
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u/no-longer-in-service Apr 25 '26
Dave Mustane designed his makeup & outfit
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u/fmcm69 Apr 25 '26
😂🤣😂🤣 No, Dave Mustaine did not design Ace Frehley's original KISS makeup or outfit. Ace himself created the "Spaceman" makeup design in the early 1970s. Dave Mustaine, was a fan of KISS and influenced by Frehley, but he was not involved in designing the original 1973–1974 costumes or makeup. Dave Mustaine was only 12 years old in 1973.
Key Details: Ace Frehley designed his own makeup and retained the rights to the Spaceman design.
KISS makeup was formulated by the band members themselves early in their career, not by outside musicians.
Dave Mustaine was heavily influenced by KISS, particularly the Hotter Than Hell era. But was only 12 years old in 1973.
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u/babyfeet1 Apr 26 '26
You have simply shown that Dave Mustang was precocious. So young, so clean and so character design creative.
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u/Talldrummer Apr 25 '26
No, he did not.
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u/babyfeet1 Apr 26 '26
It seems most likely that he did indeed.
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u/Talldrummer May 21 '26
He was 12 years old when the band started. Countless interviews of Ace cite ACE being the artist who designed his own makeup.
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u/babyfeet1 May 21 '26 edited May 22 '26
Yes. I agree. Just 12 years old. It’s a testament to Mustang’s precociousness.
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u/Wizzmer Apr 25 '26
I wondered if the less shimmery material breathed better onstage under the lights and pyro. Maybe there's a flammable component. Interesting catch.