Costume, Dance
Object number2016.32.1 a-f
Date1985-2005
MediumFabric/Metal/Plastic
Credit LineGift of Mary Ferro
DescriptionI Campagnoli Sicilian dance costume comprised of a purple skirt with paisley trim, long sleeve white blouse with trim, black and gold belt, gold belt buckle, and two wristlets.
Skirt. Purple fabric skirt with red, blue, white, and brown paisley fabric around bottom. Additional embellishments around bottom trim include gold trim and blue crystals. Elastic cinched waist.
Blouse. White fabric long sleeve blouse. Wide neck, fabric is cinched around neck. White open lace trim with solid circle pattern around neck and sleeve cuffs. Fabric is cinched at wrists. Vertical seam down back.
Belt. Black fabric belt with gold brocade on exterior. Gold fringe on ends.
Belt buckle. Metallic gold brocade fabric backed with white cotton fabric.
Two wristlets. Black fabric with gold brocade.Dimensions(a) Width at waist 13, Width at bottom 46.5, Length 37.75;(b) Width 25.25, Length 22.5;
(c) Width 2.5, Length 49.25;
(d) Height 3.375, Width 4.375, Depth 0.25;
(e) Width with strings extended 22.25, Width of wristlet fabric only 7.5, Length 3.375;
(f) Width with strings extended 19.5, Width of wristlet fabric only 7.75, Length 3.375.
Inscriptions(d)
Handwritten text on back in ink "FIORI".
Historical NotesThe I Campagnoli Sicilian costume is comprised of a purple skirt with paisley trim, long sleeve white blouse with trim, black vest, white headpiece with floral print and lace, black and gold belt, gold belt buckle, two wristlets, and the dance shoes. Traditionally, no apron would be worn, emphasizing the wide skirt which would be made of a heavy dark material, typically in shades of red, resembling church vestments. The original black vest would have had gold brocade. 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
On View
Not on view
c. 1948
c. 2014
