Designed by
Davy, Peter, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1980s
Medium
lace, sequins, beads, rhinestones, elastic, and metal boning, with metal and plastic zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (flat): 50 1/2 × 28 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (128.3 × 72.4 × 8.9 cm)
Description
A strapless floor-length dress made from black floral net lace with heavy gold embellishments designed by Peter Davy. The bodice of the dress has fitted bra cups with a plunging rounded neckline at the center front and a shallow V-neck at the back. The waistline falls between the bottom bust and natural waist, extending into a slightly flared floor-length skirt with godets at the center front and center back and a scalloped hemline. The base fabric of the dress is a synthetic black net lace with a knotted floral design in black thread. Lines of gold sequins, some with beads in the center of each sequin, are sewn vertically down the bodice and skirt. The bust of the dress is completely covered in heavy embellishment of gold beads and sequins. A large cluster of beads and sequins are sewn at the center front bodice below the bust. The floral pattern in the lace on the skirt is covered by gold beads and sequins, with iridescent rhinestones and strings of gold seed bead fringe ending in a large faceted gold sequin scattered throughout. The dress closes at the center back bodice with a black metal and plastic zipper.
The bodice of the dress is built out from a mass-produced black bustier complete with padded bra cups, boning, and elastic. The black net lace and embellishments are attached to the bustier. The dress has no lining, meaning both the bodice and skirt are sheer. A manufacturer's label was cut from the proper right back of the bustier and is illegible. There are no other 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
2007.3.92
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd566f54ce1-aac9-41e1-abcd-7ecfbd2804e2

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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