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"STARRY NIGHT" COSTUME

Creator(s):

Currently in storage


About this object

This silk crêpe costume was worn by Marjorie Merriweather Post at the Everglades Ball on February 25, 1926. The Everglades Ball was a fancy dress ball held annually at the Everglades Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

This black crêpe "starry night" costume was worn by Mrs. Post at the Everglades Ball in Palm Beach, 1926. The sheer silk crêpe overdress would have been worn with a short, probably black, slip-like undergarment. The tubular sheath style dress is embellished with an overall design of silver and blue sequin stars interspersed with single rhinestones of varying sizes. Large faceted beads are handsewn along the top edge and the dagged hem. Assymetrical shoulder straps are created by multiple strands of roped rhinestones of varying sizes, more numerous on the proper right side. Four long, freehanging panels are placed at the low side hip, front and back, and extend below the hem of the dress. These are embellished with the same sequin stars and edged at bottom with the large faceted beads. A narrow panel with the same motif is secured at the center back top edge and increases in width as it extends down the back in a long train. The dress was worn with a long, sheer scarf attached with one snap at the left shoulder and worn by placing the left arm through a series of roped rhinestones. The star motif is applied to both sides of the scarf. The bottom edge is cut in a fish-tail shape and decorated with studded rhinestones and faceted bead edging. A hat is constructed on a low pillbox shaped base of buckrum covered with pale green silk crêpe. This form is covered with a cutout sequin star. Five freehanging swags of roped rhinestones are placed at center front. A plastic hair pin with a wired, sequin covered bow was probably used to secure the hat. This hat, along with a fragment of black crêpe with one large star, could have once been part of a diffent headpiece that can be seen in archival photographs of Mrs. Post in this costume. Photographs show that she carried a large black ostrich feather fan, also in the collection.

Object name:
"STARRY NIGHT" COSTUME
Made from:
Silk crêpe -- rhinestones -- sequins
Made in:
USA
Date made:
1926
Size:
H. 41 1/2 in. (shoulder to hem front) (dress); H. 41 1/2 in. (shoulder to hem back) (dress); H. 102 in. (train) (dress); H. 82 1/2 in. (scarf); W. 37 in. (scarf); Dia. 22 1/2 in. (hat circumference)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
48.138.1-5
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973