Designed by
Davy, Peter, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1980s
Medium
synthetic satin, synthetic chiffon, sequins, and beads, with metal and plastic zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (.1 (flat)): 49 1/4 × 19 × 2 1/2 in. (125.1 × 48.3 × 6.4 cm)
H x W x D (.2 (flat)): 117 × 9 1/2 × 1/2 in. (297.2 × 24.1 × 1.3 cm)
Description
A red chiffon and satin dress (.1) with red sequin and bead embellishments and matching scarf (.2) designed by Peter Davy. The dress has a strapless bodice with a sweetheart neckline extending to a straight floor-length skirt with a rounded hemline and a thigh-high slit at the center front. The dress is made from red satin overlaid in red chiffon. A large flower with pointed petals made from red sequins and beads is sewn onto the proper right front waist of the dress, with some petals extending up onto the bust. The front bodice neckline is trimmed in a thick band of red sequins and beads. The front skirt hem, including the slit, is trimmed in a thin band of red sequins and beads. The dress closes at the center back with a red metal and plastic zipper.
Only the bodice of the dress is lined, with the front lined in red synthetic fabric and the back in the red satin. A stiff material is placed between the satin and the lining of the front bust to form bra cups. Boning is sewn between the satin and the lining at each front side, each side, and each back side for six (6) pieces total. White hanger loops are sewn at each interior side seam. The interior hem and skirt slit are trimmed in red floral lace. A white fabric label with black printed text is sewn at the interior proper left back side bodice that reads, "An Original / by / Peter Davy" with three (3) black diamonds down the proper left side of the label.
The matching scarf (.2) is made from the same red chiffon as the dress, doubled and seamed by hand with bias-cut ends. The scarf is pleated at the center with a decorative strip of red sequins and beads covering the seam of the pleats on the facing side only.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
dresses
scarves (costume accessories)
Topic
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion
Fashion design
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Object number
2007.3.101.1-.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5580e8b38-3205-4b3b-98ff-bd9d57344596

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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