Manufactured by
Levine, Herbert, American, founded 1948
Distributed by
Bonwit Teller , American, 1895 - 2000
Worn by
Kitt, Eartha, American, 1927 - 2008
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
ca. 1955
Medium
silk satin with metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (a): 8 7/8 × 2 15/16 × 1 9/16 in. (22.5 × 7.5 × 4 cm)
H x W x D (b): 8 7/8 × 2 5/8 × 1 3/4 in. (22.5 × 6.6 × 4.5 cm)
Description
Dark green satin pumps worn by Eartha Kitt and designed by Beth Levine of Herbert Levine for the department store Bonwit Teller and Co. Kitt wore the shoes with a Zelda Wynn designed dress (2007.3.163).
The pumps are covered in a dark green satin and feature a three and a half inch spiked heel and sharply pointed toe. There is an embroidered foliage design across the vamp in six lighter shades of green silk embroidery floss with beaded metallic accents. The leather sole is lined with a contrasting gold satin, with satin sidewalls, and leather heel. The left (a) shoe features gold-colored lettering vertically placed on the footpad which reads: [herbert levine]. The right (b) shoe features gold-colored lettering vertically placed on the footpad which reads: [BONWIT TELLER / FIFTH AVE]. Black ink inscriptions inside each shoe, on their right walls, read: [4 ½ B / A-1936]. There are no markings on the bottom of the soles.
Place made
New York, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Type
pumps (shoes)
Topic
Actors
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Singers (Musicians)
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
2007.3.164ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5d2b63c86-50b2-4d9c-94e5-84f36c151c24

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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