Green satin pumps worn by Eartha Kitt

Object Details

Description: Dark green satin pumps worn by Eartha Kitt and designed by Beth Levine of Herbert Levine for the department store Bonwit Teller and Co. Kitt wore the shoes with a Zelda Wynn designed dress (2007.3.163).; The pumps are covered in a dark green satin and feature a three and a half inch spiked heel and sharply pointed toe. There is an embroidered foliage design across the vamp in six lighter shades of green silk embroidery floss with beaded metallic accents. The leather sole is lined with a contrasting gold satin, with satin sidewalls, and leather heel. The left (a) shoe features gold-colored lettering vertically placed on the footpad which reads: [herbert levine]. The right (b) shoe features gold-colored lettering vertically placed on the footpad which reads: [BONWIT TELLER / FIFTH AVE]. Black ink inscriptions inside each shoe, on their right walls, read: [4 ½ B / A-1936]. There are no markings on the bottom of the soles.

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

ca. 1955

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible; Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Medium: silk satin with metal
Dimensions: H x W x D (a): 8 7/8 × 2 15/16 × 1 9/16 in. (22.5 × 7.5 × 4 cm); H x W x D (b): 8 7/8 × 2 5/8 × 1 3/4 in. (22.5 × 6.6 × 4.5 cm)

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification: Clothing - Costume

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic: African American; Actors; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Singers (Musicians)

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5d2b63c86-50b2-4d9c-94e5-84f36c151c24