Images(6)

Costume, Dance

Object number2016.32.4 a-d

Date1985-2005

MediumFabric/Plastic/Metal

Credit LineGift of Mary Ferro

DescriptionI Campagnoli Neapolitan dance costume comprised of a striped skirt, two white aprons, and white eyelet lace headpiece. Skirt. Striped pink, brown, yellow, and white fabric with white eyelet lace ruffled trim around bottom of skirt. Zipper along waist opening with two red plastic buttons on waist above zipper. Apron. White eyelet lace fabric in floral pattern. Sharp scalloped bottom edge. Waist straps have small dotted eyelet pattern. Apron. White eyelet lace fabric in floral pattern. Smooth scalloped bottom edge. Waist straps have floral eyelet pattern. Headpiece. White eyelet lace fabric in floral pattern. Rectangular with pointed bottom edge. Fabric is folded under on underside. Turquoise plastic hair comb sewn on underside.Dimensions(a) Width at waist 17.5, Width at bottom 43, Length 26.75;
(b) Width at bottom of apron 32.5, Width from strap tip to strap tip 79, Length 23.75;
(c) Width at bottom of apron 46.25, Width from strap tip to strap tip 91.25, Length 24.25;
(d) Width 9.25, Length 20.25.
Marks(a)
Text along fabric edges at the seams inside the skirt - green embroidered text "A Waverly Bonded Fabric "Jefferson Stripe" Registered #6181878 UP [arrow]".
Historical NotesThe I Campagnoli Neapolitan costume is comprised of a striped skirt, two white aprons, short sleeve white blouse with eyelet trim, black vest, white headpiece made of eyelet lace, and the dance shoes. The original black vest would have had holes down the front opening with ribbon/string strung through the holes in a criss-cross design. The two white aprons were interchangeable with this costume. Part of the I Campagnoli costume collection. This collection of costumes belonged to Mary Ferro, a lifetime member and former co-director, of the Italian folk and dance troupe I Campagnoli. Sponsored by the Italian Sons and Daughters of America in the early 1960s, I Campagnoli was first directed by Professor Lorenzo Malfatti and Eugene Ricotti (later Richards). Initially, members were primarily Italian immigrants. I Campagnoli met weekly and learned a wide range of Italian folk music collected by Malfatti; members also learned corresponding dances. The music was primarily in Italian dialect from various regions of Italy. In the late 1960s, the donor's mother, Jane Ferro, took over as director for I Campagnoli. She organized their participation in various folk festivals in the United States, in addition to the opening of the Italian section of Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park. Ferro also brought I Campagnoli to Italy where they performed in cities such as Lucca, Rome, and Venice. In this collection of costumes, each costume worn by I Campagnoli members was handmade by female members of the ISDA to reflect the region the music and dances belonged to. In general, blues, greens, and purples would be worn by northerners while brighter reds, greens, and maroons were worn by southerners. Those who lived closer to the sea would be found wearing various shades of blue. In addition to color, the headdress distinguished the region from which the costume originated. Also, aprons were the most decorated part of the costume as designs and trimmings were hand-woven into the fabric.

Previous owner Mary Ferro

Related institution I Campagnoli

Related institution Italian Sons and Daughters of America

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