If a hairstyle called for a certain look or something extra, wiglets were used in addition to the regular wig. Simply pinned on the main wig these added height, shape, more curls or possible used to cover something.
This was one of Lucy’s red wiglets. Her longtime hairstylist Imra Kusely dyed it to match her hair color and the piece still retains the original curls and shape with hairspray from when it was used.
One organization Lucille Ball supported for many years was SHARE. Founded in 1953 by the wifes of the Rat Pack, it is the oldest charity in Beverly Hills. In its 70+ years of exisitance, the members have raised over $65 million for children in need throughout the Los Angeles area.
Many of their fundraising events were a western theme. Lucy can be seen costumed in variations of this concept accompanied by Desi during the 1950’s, then Gary and family over the next three decades. These cowhide and leather western boots were Lucille’s and most likely worn to one of these galas. They were originally sold to the public during one of the estate auctions held in the mid-1990’s.
On June 4, 1967 Lucille Ball won her third Emmy for ‘Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series’ for The Lucy Show. This honor was a complete shock to Ball saying, “I cannot believe it” multiple times.
Lucy accepted the award wearing this custom-made, floor length sheath dress with a pastel green, pink and blue floral pattern, ornamented with silver sequins and rhinestones. The gown was designed and made by Edward Stevenson and features a boat neckline, cap sleeves, two side slits and has a pink silk lining with zipper back closure. To match the dress a clutch by Kurt Chambre was also custom-made using the same materials. The gown originally had a sheer chiffon caftan that went over it but somehow over the years has been separated.*
Lucille wears the gown for a second time the following year on the final episode of The Lucy Show entitled “Lucy and the ‘Boss of the Year’ Award” which aired on March 11, 1968. She appears in it for a third time as a guest star on “Ann Margret: From Hollywood with Love” that aired on December 6, 1969. Also part of this group is an original program from the 1967 Emmy Awards and a gold metal table favor commemorating the event.
*If the whereabouts of the sheer caftan are known, please contact us!
Aqua was a color that just looked sensational on Lucille Ball. It’s no wonder many of her garments from the 1960’s through the 1980’s were made with variations of this hue.
This 3-piece raw silk pant suit was one of those creations, custom-made for Lucy in the early 1980’s. It was a favorite of hers as it was worn on multiple television appearances and publicity pictures. The aqua blazer features a notched lapel with stitching detail that follows the entire hem, side vents and is lined with a light blue silk. The matching pants have an elastic waist with rear zipper and hook and eye closures, front pleats and two pockets, along with side vents at the bottom hem. A short sleeve silk blouse in a lavender and aqua floral pattern has a mandarin collar with attached bow tie and faux covered buttons down the front. The actual closure for the blouse are a series of hidden snap buttons.
Lucille wears the ensemble to a filming of Password Plus in August of 1980, opposite Dick Martin. The clip shown from this episode is adorable as she beats the buzzer and guesses the password and mentions her hometown of Jamestown, NY. She then can be seen in it again as a guest on The Tonight Show with Joan Rivers. In 1984 Lucy donned it for an interview with Entertainment Tonight (ET) talking about I Love Lucy and her career. The photoshoot in 1986 for Life With Lucy had her sitting in a white wicker peacock chair wearing the outfit in various poses. Photos from this session have been widely used online, in print and even book covers.
