In 1964 Lucille Ball started a radio show called Let’s Talk to Lucy interviewing many people she found interesting both famous and not. One interview was with Academy Award winning designer, Edith Head. Towards the end of their two day session Lucy discusses her love of feathers and the color aqua. Edith dreams up an aqua feather cape and slim dress for Lucy and thus, this creation was born.
Featuring sections of handsewn aqua ostrich feathers, covering an elongated vest-style garment, Edith along with Edward Stevenson made this one of a kind piece for Lucille Ball. Lucy wears the vest for the opening credits of The Lucy Show (a rare behind the scenes clip of the filming for this is shown here). Then in March of 1967 Lucy wears it to the New York City premiere of Throughly Modern Millie starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing. In 1969 Lucille makes a very brief apperance at the end with it on Jack Benny’s New Look slapping Jack’s face saying “How dare you do a special without me!” In Lucy’s 1974 film of MAME it can be seen briefly in her stateroom amongst many of her other personal garments. Finally, as part of her western costume while attending a S.H.A.R.E. party in the mid-1970’s, Lucy wears the vest alongside her husband Gary Morton and mother, DeDe.
If the whereabouts of the sheath dress under the vest are known, please contact us!
