Evening dress
Designer
Patrick Kelly
(1954 - 1990)
1987-1988
Silk panne velvet, synthetic stretch, and metal
Gift of Gloria Steinem
Object number2010.30.1
Patrick Kelly was the first American designer (and the first Black designer) to be voted into France’s Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter. He was well-known for his desire to make clothes that “make people smile,” which he achieved through an ultra-maximalist approach to embellishing garments. He died of AIDS in 1990 at the age of 35.
DescriptionBlack crushed velvet ankle length long sleeve evening dress with deep scoop neckline in synthetic stretch with shimmering gold metal stars of various sizes cascading down torso, row of smaller stars trim neckline and sleeve edge - hand stitched at button shank; form fitting body hugging fitCollections
Exhibitions