On Valentine’s Day 1966, The Lucy Show’s “Lucy Dates Dean Martin” aired. Lucille Ball considered this show to be her favorite episode of all her series. Fans can agree the script was adorable and Lucy looked simply stunning with her flip-style hairdo while wearing this gorgeous, beaded jacket. The piece was Lucy’s actual personal garment she brought on set to represent an auction item for a Hollywood charity ball, purportedly worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Danger in Paris.”
The jacket was custom made for Ball using a plush olive-green velvet damask with thousands of hand sewn fuchsia sequins, beads, and rhinestones. The inside is lined with a pink silk fabric, and the stand-up collar has a single gold hook and loop closure. The black underdress was also Lucy’s however it is not the one used in the episode. It is similar and for displaying of this jacket.
Lucy’s reaction when Eddie Feldman (Dean Martin) buys the jacket for her is genuine, heartfelt and purely emotional that comes through on camera. In that moment we are truly happy for Lucy Carmichael getting the chance to own something so expensive and beautiful.
Lucille previously wears the jacket when she portrays Judy Garland on Danny Kaye’s 1962 special. Then in the 1974 episode of Here’s Lucy – “Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball” the jacket can be seen hung in the closet of her dressing room next to other personal clothing.