DRESS

Description: BLACK VELVET. HAS A HIGH, STRAIGHT CUT NECKLINE (BOAT NECKLINE). NECKLINE IS GATHERED IN THE FRONT AT THE SHOULDERS. SKIRT IS SLIGHTLY FLARED. HAS 3/4 LENGTH SLEEVES MADE OF A SHEER BLACK FABRIC WITH BLACK VELVET DESIGNS ON IT. CUFFS ARE CUT IN A V-SHAPE, SO TOPSIDE IS LONGER THAN BOTTOM SIDE. CUFFS CLOSE WITH A SMALL, METAL SNAP. BACK OF DRESS HAS A SLIT FROM NECKLINE TO CENTER BACK; SLIT CLOSES AT NECKLINE WITH A PLASTIC, SILVER BUTTON SHAPED LIKE A FLOWER. BUTTON HAS A CLEAR GEM IN THE CENTER. DRESS HAS A LOOP OF THREAD ON EACH SIDE, THROUGH WHICH IS A BELT. BELT IS A STRIP OF BLACK POLYESTER?, WITH PEACH COLOURED ENDS. ONE END OF BELT IS FRAYED. DRESS HAS LOOSE THREADS THROUGHOUT. A RIP IN SKIRT HAS BEEN LOOSELY REPAIRED. DRESS IS CUT ON THE BIAS.

History: DONOR IS A HIGH SCHOOL PHYS. ED. TEACHER. SHE DID DRAMA IN SCHOOLS AND LOCAL THEATRE, AND ENTIRE COLLECTION WAS GIVEN TO HER BY LOCAL PEOPLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DONOR GAIL HOLLAND’S ACQUISITION, STEWARDSHIP AND GENERAL USE OF HER 1999-DONATED COLLECTION PLEASE REFER TO RECORD P19990053001. ***UPDATE: ARTIFACT INSIGHT BELOW SUBMITTED BY DONOR AND COLLECTIONS VOLUNTEER GAIL HOLLAND ON 19 APRIL 2011. “BLACK VELVET DRESS NOT USED IN A THEATRE PRODUCTION, BUT SERVED AS A REFERENCE FOR POSSIBLE COSTUME REPRODUCTION DETAILS OF 1930S CLOTHING.”