Object Details
Designed by
Peter Davy, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
A green dress with silver beading, sequin, and rhinestone detailing designed by Peter Davy. The dress is made from a green under layer of synthetic or silk and synthetic blend material overlaid in iridescent green semi-sheer fabric. It is cut with a fitted bodice, waist, and skirt with a slit on the proper left side of the skirt and the hemline curving up toward the slit. The front of the bodice is a deep V-neck, while the back has a high standing collar. The full-length gigot sleeves have large poufs at the shoulders made from the same under layer and over layer fabrics as the dress, while the tight-fitting portions of the sleeves, beginning just above the elbow, are made from an under layer of the iridescent green fabric and an over layer of synthetic green net having silver metallic woven lace in a scrolling leaf design. Pieces of the green and silver lace are placed at the standing collar, the front bodice, and along the hemline. Heavy embellishments in silver beads, sequins, and rhinestones are applied at the collar, front bodice, and hemline by hand. Silver rhinestones decorate the tight lace portions of the sleeves. Three (3) strands of silver rhinestone beads and white seed beads are sewn across the front neck, attaching at the sides of the standing collar, to form an attached necklace at the center front. The dress closes at the center back with a green plastic zipper.
The interior of the dress is not lined as the green under layer serves as a lining fabric. A heavier weight green fabric lines the interior collar to provide support for the standing collar. Thick shoulder pads are sewn into a case made from the green under layer material and attached to the pouf portions of each sleeve. A white fabric label with black printed text is sewn at the interior proper right back neck that reads, "An Original / by / Peter Davy" with three (3) black diamonds down the proper left side of the label.
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
Date
1985-1990
Object number
2007.3.94
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
dresses
Medium
synthetic fiber, silk, sequins, rhinestones, and glass beads, with metal and plastic zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (flat): 55 1/2 × 27 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (141 × 69.9 × 11.4 cm)
H x W x D (on form): 56 1/2 × 23 7/8 × 12 1/2 in. (143.5 × 60.6 × 31.8 cm)
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion
Fashion design
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.94