Designed by
Davy, Peter, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1985-1990
Medium
synthetic organza, synthetic satin, synthetic lace, sequins, and beads, with metal and plastic fasteners
Dimensions
H x W x D (flat): 58 3/4 × 24 × 6 in. (149.2 × 61 × 15.2 cm)
Description
A red organza and satin dress with a ruffled collar and lace, bead, and sequin embellishments designed by Peter Davy. The body of the dress is made from red satin overlaid in red organza. The bodice of the dress has a low-cut straight front neckline and a high back neckline. A panel similar to a stomacher is sewn at the front bodice, ending in a point at the waist, made from white satin fabric overlaid in red net floral lace decorated in red sequins and beads. A pleated ruffle made from the red organza borders the stomacher panel and continues over the shoulders and around the high back neck. A panel of the white satin overlaid in red lace with sequin and beading decoration is sewn across the back neck to make a standing collar, with the organza ruffle extending above it. The dress is fitted through the bodice with a sheath skirt that has a thigh-high slit at the proper left front. A paillette made from white synthetic knit fabric overlaid in red net floral lace and decorated with red sequins and beads is sewn above the slit. The full-length sleeves are made from the sheer red organza. The tapered cuffs of each sleeve are embellished with white synthetic knit fabric overlaid in red net floral lace, which is decorated with red sequins and beads. The dress closes at the center back with a red metal and plastic zipper. One (1) metal snap is attached at the center back to join the sides of the organza ruffle.
The dress is not lined. White hanger loops are sewn at each interior shoulder seam. Red net encased in the red organza is gathered and sewn at the interior of each sleeve shoulder 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 right back side that reads, "An Original / by / Peter Davy" with three (3) black diamonds down the proper left side of the label.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing-Fashion
Type
dresses
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
2007.3.103
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5145526a9-4fda-407c-8620-46522bd88348

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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