Beaded gown designed by Zelda Wynn for Eartha Kitt: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A crème-colored silk gown designed by Zelda Wynn for Eartha Kitt.

The one shoulder, floor-length silk gown features extensively beaded and multi-colored birds of paradise throughout. It was made with a combination of machine and hand-stitching. The bodice has one strap crossing the proper left shoulder, with sheered bias cut fabric embellishment at the bust and at the waist. At the waist, contrasting silk fabric in cream and emerald green is used in the sheered embellishment, forming a yolk at the hip. The skirt is narrow with high slit. The birds of paradise have been printed on the silk fabric with seed beads and rhinestones added over the print. The bodice is interfaced with plain woven fabric, with two small loops for hanging at either side. There is a concealed white plastic zipper at the left side of the waist. A cream-colored satin Zelda Wynn trademark tag is sewn on the interior of the dress.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: ca. 1955
• Designed by: Zelda Wynn, American, 1905 - 2001
• Worn by: Eartha Kitt, American, 1927 - 2008
• Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
• Type: dresses
• Medium: silk (textile) and plastic
• Dimensions: L x W: 58 11/16 × 15 3/4 in. (149 × 40 cm)
• Dimensions: Waist: 13 3/4 in. (35 cm)
• Dimensions: Chest: 14 15/16 in. (38 cm)
• Place made: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Craftsmanship
• Topic: Design
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Fashion design
• Topic: Singers (Musicians)
• Object number: 2007.3.163
• 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
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.