Designed by
Flynn, Danny
Manufactured by
Frederick's of Hollywood, founded 1947
Via Spiga, Italian, founded 1985
Worn by
Ellis, Terry Lynn, American, born 1963
Subject of
En Vogue, American, founded 1989
Date
1992
Medium
Dress: synthetic fiber and spandex
Bra: Polyester fiber, polyurethane and metal (underwire)
Gloves: satin and spandex
Shoes: suede, leather, plastic, rubber, and elastic
Dimensions
H x W (.1, dress, flat): 48 1/2 × 13 in. (123.2 × 33 cm)
H x W x D (.1, dress, on form): 50 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (127 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm)
H x W (,2, bra, flat): 9 × 11 in. (22.9 × 27.9 cm)
H x W x D (.2, bra, on form): 8 3/4 × 10 × 8 3/4 in. (22.2 × 25.4 × 22.2 cm)
H x W (.3a, glove (left)): 18 × 4 1/4 in. (45.7 × 10.8 cm)
H x W (.3b, glove (right)): 17 3/4 × 4 1/2 in. (45.1 × 11.4 cm)
H x W x D (.4a, shoe (left)): 5 3/4 × 3 1/4 × 9 3/4 in. (14.6 × 8.3 × 24.8 cm)
H x W x D (.4b, shoe (right)): 5 3/4 × 3 1/4 × 9 3/4 in. (14.6 × 8.3 × 24.8 cm)
Description
A costume worn by Terry Ellis of En Vogue for the music video "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (1992) comprised of a red dress (.1), a bra (.2), a pair of elbow-length black gloves (.3), and a pair of black stiletto heels (.4ab).
Dress (.1): A red sleeveless dress with an an ankle-length skirt. The dress is made from a red stretch knit sewn with the dull side of the fabric facing. The front of the bodice scoops below the bust, with the upper band becoming the back straps. There is a sixteen (16) inch slit along the proper right side of the skirt, with the edges of the slit rounded at the hem. The letter "T" is handwritten in black ink on the inside front bodice. The dress is not lined.
Bra (.2): A red push-up bra with a plunging neckline between the cups, red sheer wings, and adjustable back straps. The padded cups are faced with red satin. Each cup has an insert for additional padding with removable inserts inside. There is a white manufacturer's label with printed text sewn to the interior bottom seam of the proper left wing that reads, "frederick's / of Hollywood / FIBER & CARE ON BACK / [horizontal] 5796 32B". The letter "T" is handwritten in black ink at the bottom interior edge of each cup and on the interior proper right wing.
Gloves (.3ab): A pair of black elbow-length stretch gloves, both alike. The gloves are seamed along the exterior side and around the fingers, with a separate thumb attached to the gusset. The letter "T" is handwritten in white ink or paint on the interior of each glove near the opening.
Shoes (.4ab): A pair of black suede t-strap pumps. Each shoe has a pointed toe box and a freestanding heel counter, leaving each side of the foot uncovered. Two thin straps are sewn together to make the t-shape. The lower of the straps is the same suede material as the toe box and heel. The lower strap is stitched to the edges of the toe box and joins to meet in the middle. The lower strap is stitched to the upper strap at the anterior ankle. The upper strap is suede elastic, and loops around the wearer's ankle from one edge of the heel to the other. The shoes have a 3 inch stilletto heel that is covered with suede and tipped with black rubber. There is a manufacturer's tag on the insole on both shoes, white with black stitching: "VIA SPIGA / MADE IN / ITALY". On the tags are hand-written the letter "T" indicating that the shoes were worn by Terry Ellis. On the underside of both shoes at the shank are the leather seal and size "VERO / CUOIO / MADE IN ITALY / 4 5 / 8B".
Classification
Clothing-Costume
Type
dresses
brassieres
gloves
pumps (shoes)
Topic
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion design
Popular music
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue
Object number
2014.189.3.1-.4ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd53ff67c21-7e27-49ce-baa4-5bb1f26ee455

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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