The present invention provides an article of clothing with a backlit display that emits light through a mask that allows signage to be placed on the garment. The garment has attached to its surface by clips or snaps a display module having a substantially flat envelope enclosing an electro-luminescent lamp and a mask. The electro-luminescent lamp layer is energized by an electrical signal from an control electronic circuit that passes its signal through the clips or snaps. The electro-luminescent layer may be divided into segments where each segment functions as an independent electro-luminescent layer receiving a potential having a pattern of illumination that is determined by the control electronic circuit. The invention can be used in safety apparel where the resulting pattern is a bright surface having the shape of a caution warning.