This spectacular black gown, adorned with a pattern of swirling sequins and accented with tulle ruffle slit along the side, was designed by Paramount’s Edith Head for Arlene Dahl to wear as the character Irene Bailey in the 1953 film Here Come The Girls.

The gown includes a slit down the front center, with a panel of flesh colored fabric for approval by the censors of the day. But when on screen, the panel “disappears” creating the illusion that the center is far more revealing than it really is.

The costume was reused in 1964 in another Paramount production, where Carol Baker wore it as Rina Marlowe in The Carpetbaggers. In 1968, it was worn in an episode of Bonanza titled A Bride for Buford, where Lola Albright, as Dolly Bantree, wore it. Lola can be seen posing in the gown in front of a sketch of herself wearing the piece!  

Though Bonanza was an NBC production, it was filmed on the Paramount lot, and the costume was likely rented from Paramount for the production. To give the piece a different look, a criss-cross pattern of cording was added across the front slit, and sheer black fabric has been added to give the gown long sleeves and a high neckline. 

This costume, owned by Larry McQueen of The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design, has been on display several times over the years, including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s exhibition Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer.

You can find more fabulous costumes by Edith Head here!