Costume worn by Deborah Burrell for "Eubie!" in 1978: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A copper and silver satin theatrical dress. The bodice is made from three bias cut satin pieces, one for the front and two for the back. The bodice features a V-neckline and drop waist. There are two vertical shaping darts near the straps, measuring 2.5". Each strap is made from self-fabric, that is hand rolled, padded, and had sewn to the bodice. The bodice is edged with piped seaming and features a drop waist, which is sewn to a three paneled skirt. The skirt has a central silver satin panel and two side copper panels that extend to the back. The back bodice also features a deep-V neckline and is composed of two back bodice panel that closes in the center back with a metal hook and eye and a 10” metal zipper and metal pull. The zipper pull is engraved with the brand name [MARK]. Synthetic organza lines the inside of the bodice and a .5” wide elastic band is hand sewn to the inner neckline with green thread. One 6” half-circle sweat pad made from synthetic faille is attached to each armhole with three metal snaps. Each sweat pad has a twill tape label hand sewn to it that reads [D.B.F.] in handwritten text. Along the proper left side of the zipper is the dressmaker label covered by another twill tape label that reads [DEBBIE] in black pen handwriting. The white woven dressmaking label reads [EAVES COSTUME CO. INC. / NEW YORK / SINCE 1863] in green text. A man in old fashioned clothing is standing with his hands on his waist next to the ‘E’ in EAVES. A 6” white silk satin mic pouch is handsewn to the interior proper left side. The bottom hem of the dress is hand rolled and sewn into place with machine stitching.

This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: most likely 1930s; modified 1978
• Designed by: Bernard Johnson, American, 1936 - 1997
• Created by: Eaves Costume Company, American, 1863 - 1998
• Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
• Type: dresses
• Medium: silk satin, organza, elastic, faille, cotton twill, and metal
• Dimensions: Length (shoulder to hem): 54 1/4 in. (137.8 cm)
• Dimensions: Chest (bust, flat): 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
• Dimensions: Waist: 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume design
• Topic: Design
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Fashion design
• Topic: Musical Theatre
• Object number: 2007.3.686
• 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 displayed image also has an explicit CC0 designation. The underlying object's rights statement is: No known copyright restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.