Object Details
- Description
- A black evening dress by Peter Davy that is entirely hand embellished with two sizes of gold and silver plastic beads and rhinestones. The base of the dress is composed of a black synthetic fabric that has areas of looped pilling on the surface. The silver and gold beading outlines the looped pilling areas throughout the dress. The bust of the dress is constructed from a pre-made bra that has been refashioned into the dress’s bodice. It features a sweetheart neckline that has a higher concentration of gold and silver beading. Both bust straps are heavily embellished and feature an additional, decorative strap made from cotton twill tape with a beaded trim. The beaded trim consists of clear, yellow, and black glass seed beads and black glass bugle beads. The skirt of the dress is composed of two panels and there is a front slit at the proper left side. Gold and silver beading, and plastic rhinestones are heavily concentrated around the edge of the slit. The bottom hem of the dress features a black (possibly crochet?) lace trim that has been handstitched to the bottom of the dress. The trim features silver beads and rhinestones. The back bust of the dress is made from two panel pieces and features heavy gold and silver beading along the top edge. There are three sets of metal hook and eye closures along the center back seam. Below the closures is a keyhole cut out that is situated at the lower center back. There are five additional metal hook and eye sets below the cut out along with a black metal YKK zipper and black plastic teeth. The back of the skirt is composed of two panel pieces that are joined at the center back. The interior of the dress is unlined. There are black satin ribbons hanging straps hand sewn to the interior of the bust. Metal grommets are visible throughout the body of the dress where the rhinestones have been punched.
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Designed by
- Peter Davy, Saint Vincentian, 1944 - 1990
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1960s - 1980s
- 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
- Medium
- synthetic cellulose with plastic and glass beads, metal rhinestones, synthetic satin ribbon, and cotton twill
- Dimensions
- L x W: 57 × 19 in. (144.8 × 48.3 cm)
- Type
- dresses
