If the adage “the clothes make the man” has ever underscored a first impression, no one has ever quite impressed as consistently, or flamboyantly, as the “Nature Boy,” Ric Flair.

 

Known as much for his “swag” en route to the ring as his World Championships, the dirtiest player in the game built his stylish brand on the back of an unparalleled work ethic cloaked in custom-tailored ring robes.

 

Of the estimated more than two dozen signature garments pro wrestling’s most decorated character sported in his 5 decade career, none stand more memorable or at the epicenter of the some of the sport’s most revered moments than his famed “Starrcade ’83 Robe.”

 

Olivia Walker, the artist who helped bring Flair’s image to life, crafted his first robe in 1975. In an 1988 interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mrs. Walker commented: “He wanted five robes right away,” she said. “I made him the first one – a very simple one, pink velvet, silver sequins and trim, and rhinestones – and he came absolutely unglued. And it went from there. I’d make him a robe, and he’d say, `I want a couple of thousand dollars more stuff.’ “

 

As the future 2x WWE Hall of Famer’s career grew, so too did his taste for couture.

 

Arguably Mrs. Walker’s finest work was conceived in 1981 when the Carolina blue, turquoise- sequinned and rhinestone-studded robe with fully lined cape was crafted prior to Flair’s first NWA World Title Win in 1981 against Dusty Rhodes on September 17 in Kansas City, Mo.

 

He would gone on to don the spectacular garb in his iconic cage match with Harley Race in Greensboro, NC on November 24, 1983 at the fable 1st Starrcade event of Jim Crockett Promotions where he would capture his 2nd World Title and firmly cement his assent to immorality. In addition to being the first televised wrestling pay-per-view, the Starrcade event would go on to be the cornerstone event of the organization and, later, Ted Turner’s WCW as well. Legacy events bearing the same name are still produced today by WWE.

 

Additionally, The Robe would make two more significant World Title-related appearances with the first being on May 6, 1984 at Texas Stadium when Flair lost the belt to Kerry Von Erich at the David von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions event promoted by World Class Championship wrestling.

 

The second (and final) appearance of this iconic blue robe would come on May 24, 1984 when Flair strutted to the ring in the garment that brought him the hardware twice previously. This third time was indeed a charm as Flair would re-gain the coveted NWA gold from Kerry Von Erich in Yokosuka, Japan.

 

A modern-day resurrection attempt to replicate The Robe was seen in Flair’s historic final match at Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando, FL vs Shawn Michaels in 2008 when he sported a contemporary nod to the classic, this time lined with white feathers. That final-match robe is the only wrestling relic to be held in US National Archives and displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

 

Though privately held since xxx, The Robe continues to remain active in the public psyche via highlight reels and regular references from ESPN and WWE, among other media spotlights on recurring instances.

 

Legacy & Preservation

• tear on guard rail in japan
• WM 24 re-creation/Flair’s desire to wear in last match

• key to city/gbo
• wm 2017

• ESPN Article (prior to 30 for 30)
• Funko Mystery Mini
• WWE Classics Figure
• WWE dvd appearances