Designed by
Count Sarmi, Ferdinando, Italian, born 1912
Worn by
DeVore, Ophelia, American, 1922 - 2014
Date
late 1960s
Medium
silk faille, silk organdy and satin, satin ribbon, lace, sequins, rhinestones, beads, and metal fasteners
Dimensions
H x W: 56 x 31 in. (142.2 x 78.7 cm)
Description
Ivory and mint green evening dress worn by Ophelia DeVore. The dress has a V-neck with a high back neckline, blousy full-length sleeves with fitted cuffs, and a full floor-length skirt gathered at the natural waist line. The dress is made from a strapless ivory silk faille bodice and skirt overlaid in ivory organdy with mint green and ivory satin stripes. The organdy forms the sheer upper bodice and sleeves, which do not have the ivory faille under them. The stripes are oriented vertically on the bodice, but horizontally on the sleeves and skirt. The sleeves are embellished with a floral vine design made from pink, blue, and ivory flowers cut from floral lace and vines made from sequins, beads, and rhinestones in silver and pale yellow. Each cuff fastens with two (2) metal snaps. A wide ivory satin belt is attached around the waist and fastens at the center front with a metal hook-and-eye underneath a pre-tied bow with short tails. The bow loops are pinned to the belt and the belt is folded and pinned at the center back waist. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. The zipper ends at the faille strapless bodice and the high sheer back is open, with the hook-and-eyes attached one at the bottom and one at the top.
The dress is self-lined in the ivory silk faille. A silver fabric label with black embroidered text is sewn at the interior proper left back side bodice that reads "DESIGNED BY / SARMI / NEW YORK". A white paper label with black printed text reading "Ophelia DeVore" in cursive font is adhered with clear tape to the interior proper right back side bodice.
Place used
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
dresses
Topic
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ophelia DeVore
Object number
2011.25.5.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55e1a0b50-2cfc-4cd1-8ed7-a7207fea902e

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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