Designed by
Davy, Peter, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1980s
Medium
synthetic lace, synthetic net, silk satin, cord, and sequins, with metal and plastic zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (flat): 59 3/4 × 41 1/4 × 3 1/4 in. (151.8 × 104.8 × 8.3 cm)
Description
A white and silver dress designed by Peter Davy. The dress has a halter neck and is backless to the empire waist, with a very full floor-length skirt. It is made from a white net lace with an all-over pattern of small silver metallic woven dots. The white and silver lace forms the top layer, with the under layer being a white sheer synthetic net. The front bodice consists of two (2) portions of the net lace lined in the white net that extend from the waistband over each front side to cover the wearer's breasts, and are gathered at the top with a band of silver lamé fabric around them. A silver sequin appliqué flower is attached over each silver band. Long lengths of thin silver metallic cord are sewn to the back of each band and are tied at the back neck. Streamers made of the sheer white net are gathered and extend out of the top of the silver bands, falling over the wearer's shoulders and reaching to the hem of the back skirt. The fitted waistband is 3 1/2 inches wide and is made from silver lamé lined in paper-backed cotton canvas. A silver sequin appliqué flower matching those at the front shoulders is sewn at the proper right front side of the waistband. The full skirt is made from two layers of the lace net with silver dots, one layer of the white sheer net, and an ivory silk satin inner petticoat with the facing side of the fabric turned inward. The top layer of the silver and white net lace is cut with a scalloped hem and trimmed in silver sequins. The dress closes at the center back with a white metal and plastic zipper that extends across the waistband and down into the skirt.
The dress is not lined beyond the under layer of white sheer synthetic net, with the silk satin petticoat being the innermost layer of the skirt. Short hanger loops are sewn at each interior side of the waistband. There are no labels in the dress.
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
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
2007.3.110
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54369e569-4b3f-4b0e-8478-86be972cedb4

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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