Designed by
Davy, Peter, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1980s
Medium
velvet, synthetic fiber, beads, and sequins, with metal and plastic zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (flat): 54 1/2 × 19 3/4 × 4 3/4 in. (138.4 × 50.2 × 12.1 cm)
Description
A brown and cream strapless dress with gold and silver sequin and bead embellishments designed by Peter Davy. The bodice of the dress is made from a dark brown velvet and has a sweetheart front neckline with a shallow V back. The bodice ends between the natural waist and hip, with a full, gathered, floor-length skirt made from heavy cream synthetic fabric overlaid in cream sheer synthetic fabric. The bodice is decorated in rows of gold and silver sequins and beads, which begin at the proper left side below the bust and emanate out in rays that swoop upward from the waistline onto the proper right side and around to the back bodice, continuing upward to the back neckline. A long panel of the velvet is cut out on the proper left side of the bodice, which is then filled with brown net lace with a floral design. The cut-out is decorated with heavy clusters of gold and silver beads and sequins over the floral parts of the lace, with the net portions left exposed. The dress closes at the center back with a brown metal and plastic zipper.
The bodice is fully lined in self-fabric, with a piece of boning sewn at each front side bust between the facing and lining. The skirt is not lined beyond the cream under layer fabric. Cream hanger loops are sewn at each bodice interior side 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
2007.3.98
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e3f709b9-f27e-423c-9507-1eb6187441a7

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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