Tag: Edward Stevenson

Lucille Ball’s Bandmaster Uniform from The Lucy Show “Main Street U.S.A.”

Lucy Carmichael and Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) travel to Bancroft, a small town whos mayor is asking the bank for a loan to build a highway. Unfortunately this construction would tear right down the middle of Main Street. Lucy joins the residents opposing the demolition for this January 1967 episode in season five of The Lucy Show.

Lucy performs a catchy song and dance number with guest stars Mel Torme and John Bubbles wearing this sequined bandmaster uniform. Designed by Edward Stevenson the costume consists of three, handmade pieces. The heavy, elongated jacket is completely covered in pink sequins with a matching mesh material placed over the top to soften the reflection and shine in the studio lights. It is adorned with gold metal buttons, gold lame trim on all the hems and gold metal fringe on the shoulder epaulettes, cuffs and bottom hem.

To complete the look, Stevenson constructed a custom-made hat that still has the original aqua feather attached and a pink velvet undergarment. This is also trimed with the metal fringe on the leg openings and is visible at the very end of the routine when Lucy does her big finish, raising her arms into the air. This is an incredibly detailed costume that must have taken hours to complete and Lucille looked sensational in it for the show-stopping finale.

by Categories: CBS, Costume, Desilu, Edward Stevenson, Gale Gordon, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Aqua Ostrich Feather Vest

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!

by Categories: Costume, Edith Head, Edward Stevenson, Feathers, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Personal, Radio, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Beaded Turquoise Clutch

In the 1960’s Edith Head and Edwards Stevenson made Lucille Ball a heavily beaded, turquoise sheath dress. To match the garment they also made a custom clutch to complete the look. This blue Pert Bag ‘original’ was covered in the matching fabric and the same beadwork pattern as the dress. Each bead, stone and sequin was handsewn on. It proved to be a favorite of Lucy’s as she carried it around to various events throughout the 60’s and 70’s.

If the whereabouts of the sheath dress (see last photo) are known, please contact us!

by Categories: Clutch, Edith Head, Edward Stevenson, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment