Bidding has ended on this item.
 
Ships to:
Worldwide
Delivery:
 
Ships to:
Worldwide

Beloved vintage Yma Sumac owned glamour gown 50's dress

See original listing
Beloved-vintage-Yma-Sumac-owned-glamour-gown-50s-dress
Item Sold
Item condition:
--
Ended:
Sep 11, 2011 17:00:53 PDT
Winning bid:
US $2,313.00
[ 12 bids ]
Shipping:
$25.00 Standard Shipping | See details
Item location:
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Seller:

Description

Item number:
150657766474
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
This may arguably be the most beloved and glamorous of all of Yma Sumac's existing stage costumes.  It is from the 1950's and was worn during one of her tours around the world.  It is AMAZING that something like this survived this many decades, and is still so beautiful. 

The top half  is heavily beaded in a beautiful pearl white. The bottom half is all feathers of mainly pinks and purples. In between the rows of feathers is a semi-sheer material that is more or less flesh toned. When the feathers are fluffed, this part is hardly seen. 

The condition:  I don't see any damage if you can imagine that. No beads appear to be missing (an extraordinary thing in itself), and no feathers seem to be broken or missing (a REALLY amazing thing!). 

The facts:  This WILL need to be 're-fluffed.' This had been laid flat for decades. When I saw it among the Divas things, I truly diddn't believe it could ever be brought back to life again. But as you seen in my very recent color photo, it sure can!  Being totally inexperienced in anything to do with clothes (male or female) I used a blow-dryer on high to fluff the feathers back up. As you see...it worked! 

Sumac must have had pitticoats on under this, or perhaps because she was small (5'3) it looks quite full. To achieve this look again in my recent photo, I put pillows and just about anything else nearby underneath it (my chihuahua's ran for dear life under my bed). 

Measurements: If you should choose to wear this and not put it in a museum or on display, laid down totally flat, under the arms measures 14" across, the waist, 12" a cross. There are not really "hips" to measure on this. It is very corset-like  inside, as it was CUSTOM MADE for Yma Sumac.  All of her stage gowns were. So there are all kinds of very strategic contraptions inside, to make everything look absolutely perfect, and little rings made of material to hang the gown without any damage or changing of it's shape.  The back has both small hooks and a zipper, so you can more or less make a choice. Whomever Sumac worked with to make this amazing piece, was very thorough!

Admittedly, a little piece of my heart will go with this.  I know how much she loved it, and it is one of the best pieces in her collection. I was her (very young) personal assistant, secretary, makeup man, confidant, and eventual webmaster and caregiver her last 11 years.  I was a fan too, so naturally I kinda choke-up when I have to box these dear things up and send them. 

DO follow the Yma Sumac Ebay auctions on Twitter, as they are up to the minute and SEPTEMBER is Miss Sumac's birthday month, so I intend to list most of the best this month! :  http://twitter.com/#!/DamonDevine  




  

Questions and answers about this item

No questions or answers have been posted about this item.
Ask a question




02412

Place bid

Time left:
Current bid:
(Approximately ##1##)
Shipping:
Import charges:
Your max bid:
Your max bid:
By clicking Confirm bid, you commit to buy this item from the seller if you are the winning bidder.
By clicking Confirm bid, you are committing to buy this item from the seller if you are the winning bidder and have read and agree to the Global Shipping Program terms and conditions - opens in a new window or tab. Import charges previously quoted are subject to change if you increase you maximum bid amount.
Cancel
Loading...
Resume bidding, if the page does not update immediately.
Place bid
Review and confirm your bid
Bid confirmation
d
h
m
s
day
hour
hours
FREE shipping
See item description
Calculate
(Approximately ##1##)
(Enter ##1## or more)
(Enter more than ##1##)
Your max bid:
Increase max bid
Place bid
Confirm bid
Increase max bid
Cancel
Change bid
Close
, you've been outbid. Don't let it get away - bid again!
, you're the highest bidder on this item. Hope you win it!
, you're the first bidder. Hope you win!
, you're currently the high bidder, but you're close to getting outbid.
, this auction is almost over and you're currently the high bidder.
, you're the high bidder, but the reserve price hasn't been met.
Please enter your bid again.
Please enter a valid number as the bid price.
Enter an amount that is equal or greater than the minimum bid required. This can be found under the bid entry box.
Maximum bids can't be lowered once they're submitted.
This seller requires the buyer to have a PayPal account to purchase this item. Get a PayPal account here .
Your bid is greater than or equal to the Buy It Now price. We recommend you purchase this item via Buy It Now. If you still wish to bid, you may do so below.
Time left:
Current bid:
(approximately ##1##)
Your maximum bid:
(approximately ##1##)
Increase your maximum bid:
By clicking 1 Click Bid, you commit to buy this item from the seller if you're the winning bidder. Learn moreabout 1-click bid - opens in a new window or tab
day
hour
min
sec
days
hours
mins
secs
(approximately ##1##)
Winning bid:
Starting bid:
Close
Congrats! The auction has ended and you're the winner.
The auction has ended, but the reserve price was not met.
Sorry, the auction has ended and you were outbid.
Good news, you're the high bidder.
Sorry, you've been outbid.
You're the high bidder, but the reserve price is not met.
Please enter a higher amount than the current bid.
Maximum bids cannot be lowered once submitted.
Please enter a valid number.