Dresses from Truman Capote's Black and White Ball on View at New York Historical Society

Two garments from the Kent State University Museum collection are currently on view in the exhibition "Cover Story: Katharine Graham, CEO" at the New York Historical Society. The exhibition focuses on native New Yorker Katharine Meyer Graham (1917-2001) who became president, publisher, and CEO of the Washington Post, and even helped end a war and a corrupt U.S. presidency by revealing the Pentagon Papers and Watergate to an outraged public. On display in the Joyce B. Cowin Women’s History Gallery, this exhibition examines a transformative period in Graham’s life, as her devotion to the Post helped her grow from a self-effacing widow into an authoritative, decisive media executive. 

The two pieces from the KSU Museum were each designed for Truman Capote's Black and White Ball in 1966 which honored Katharine Graham. The first dress was worn by society columnist Aileen Mehle. The minidress covered with dangling beads was designed by Nilo de Paul. The second cape was designed for Joan Crawford by the Kent State University Museum founder Shannon Rodgers. The stunning black velvet cape with rhinestone trim may have never been worn because Crawford did not end up attending the Ball.

For more information visit the New York Historical Society's website.