Evening set
Designer
Fabrice
(1951 - 1998)
1980s
Silk and beads
Gift of Stacey Fabrikant
Object number2021.60.3
Fabrice Simon, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moved to New York City at thirteen. He studied textile design at FIT, and followed his grandmother and mother’s footsteps into fashion design in 1975. His sister encouraged his embrace of intricate beading – his design signature, seen in this gown – and his parents ran his handbeading factory in Haiti. Beading is an important part of Haitian visual culture, and Simon worked with artisans to marry their established motifs with the “post-modern patterns and textures” seen here.
DescriptionBlack silk dress with blue, green, clear and copper Art Deco and Haitian Voudu inspired bugle beading, plunging neckline with black bugle bead trim, cap sleeves, elastic waist with front hook closure, front skirt slit; Coordinating black bugle beaded wide belt with back hook closureCollections
Exhibitions