Designed by
Davy, Peter, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1980s
Medium
Synthetic plissé chiffon, synthetic satin ribbon, plastic, metal and cotton, synthetic horsehair, and lace
Dimensions
H x W x D (flat): 58 × 33 3/4 × 3 1/2 in. (147.3 × 85.7 × 8.9 cm)
Description
A black long-sleeved, floor-length dress with red ribbon embellishment designed by Peter Davy. The dress is made from an under layer of black fabric, probably polyester or polyester and cotton blend, overlaid in sheer textured black chiffon. The bodice is fitted to the waistline, which falls between the natural waist and hip. It has a V-neck front and high back neckline. Red satin ribbon 3/8-inch wide is sewn all over the front and back bodice in a lattice design. A pleated ruffle of the black textured chiffon trimmed in red satin ribbon begins at the center back bodice and extends over the shoulders and down the front bodice around the neckline. Full-length sleeves made from the textured chiffon, but without the black fabric under layer, form the sleeves. The upper part of the sleeves are blousy, with a slight pouf at the shoulder seam, and then fit tight around the arm from forearm to wrist. The tight part of the sleeves are embellished with the red satin ribbon in the same lattice pattern as the bodice and close with seven (7) red ribbon loops and seven (7) round pearlized plastic buttons on each sleeve. The full skirt of the dress is pleated at the waist and is made from two (2) layers of the textured black chiffon. The red ribbon lattice design is sewn on the top layer from the waistline to about the knee, with portions extending down almost to the hemline in deep V's around the skirt. The dress closes at the center back bodice with a black metal and plastic zipper.
The dress is not lined beyond the black under layer in the bodice or the inner layer of black chiffon of the skirt. A piece of black synthetic net is doubled over, gathered, and sewn at the top of each interior sleeve shoulder seam. 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
2007.3.97
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54338a84c-737c-4010-a6a5-ea1ee75ec369

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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