A WORD FROM CHARLES TRIPLETT: Although I am not a member of TJGE and not even a member of Facebook. from time to time I do receive what is posted on the list if it mentions me or something pertaining to my collection. Several weeks ago there was some talk about the Zebra Gown from the Judy Garland Show. Designed by Ray Aghayan, executed by Bob Mackie and made by hand at Elizabeth Courtney Costumes. Im always amused to see it called a dress. I think many people dont know the difference and I will try my best to explain. A frock of contemporary length of the time period and worn mostly during the day is in fact a dress. A floor length frock worn after 5 pm and usually to a more formal event is a gown. A contemporary length dress worn after 5pm to a more formal venue is considered a cocktail dress. I hope these makes some sense, if not I can only advised to refer to Diana Vreeland. The zebra gown is made of wool crape and it not printed material but each strip is meticulously made by hand with very small black jet overlapping sequins, ( about 1/3 the size of the ruby slipper sequins ), then each stripped is outlined with jet bugle beads and appliqued to the gown. Mr Aghayan told me the gown was of course fitted to Miss Garlands size, but he would call it a 0 to 2 size. The waist is an unbelievable 19 and half inches. With a dozen 8 inch long ivory stays. The neck design is called a cowl neck. The gown weighs about 10 pounds. Something that has been mentioned that is false is that color has yellowed with age. This is not true as Mr. Aghayan explained to me in 1998 that the gown was what was called TV white not white white that you would think it would be. The cream white color photographs white with the TV show cameras of the day. So the gown has not yellowed at all as a long time fan likes to point out from time to time. The same color is used with almost all white costumes on the show. The Movie Concert gown, the Americana top and even the white lining of the black swing coat from show # 24. Today the gown is in acid fee storage and in very nice stable condition. It is so stunning to see in person and still after all these years unbelievable to me that it is in my collection. Charles Triplett, North Carolina
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 01:00:38 +0000
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