Images(4)

Costume, Dance

Object number2016.32.3 a-c

Date1985-2005

MediumFabric/Plastic/Metal

Credit LineGift of Mary Ferro

DescriptionI Campagnoli Calabrese dance costume comprised of a red skirt with white trim, blue bustle, and blue shawl. Skirt. Red fabric with vertical ribbing. White underlayer trim along bottom of skirt. Zipper along waist opening with a metal snap at top. Bustle. Medium blue fabric with light blue ruffled trim in u-shape on back. Overall u-shape. Waistband has two metal hook-and-eye fasteners at the ends and a white plastic button near the proper left end. Shawl. Light blue fabric with darker blue yarn fringe trim along exterior edge. Overall triangular shape. Two darts on each shoulder.Dimensions(a) Width at waist 16.75, Width at bottom 34.25, Length 35.25;
(b) Width 25.5, Length 35;
(c) Width 40.5, Length 32.
Historical NotesThe I Campagnoli Calabrese costume is comprised of a red skirt with white trim, blue bustle, blue shawl, long sleeve white blouse without trim, and the dance shoes. 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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