Patrick Kelly 1989 question mark rhinestone dress. Bette Davis wore a red version designed specifically for her David Letterman appearance in April 1989, less than a year before both Davis and Kelly passed away. Davis famously used the question mark rhinestone embellishments to interrogate Letterman on air. Black wool jersey decorated with red faceted glass rhinestone buttons arranged in three question marks on front. Form-fitting silhouette with mock-neck, long sleeves, light shoulder pads, and mid-calf hemline. Only a few known to exist among collectors and museums. This design with clear rhinestones was displayed at the 2004 Brooklyn Museum Retrospective on Patrick Kelly. ASU/FIDM collection includes the clear version. This museum-quality Patrick Kelly piece represents one of fashion's most culturally significant designs.
The dress is labelled a US 6 and it fits true to size. The measurements were taken flat, un-stretched. The measurements may read as a US size 2—and a size 2 could fit in this dress
—but to give this dress the intended curve-hugging effect of the designer it would best suit a size US 6 or 4.
Patrick Kelly 1989 Details
All measurements in inches (centimeters)
CONDITION
EXCELLENT
★★★★★
| Measurement |
Inches |
CM |
| Length |
40 inches |
102 cm |
| Bust |
32 inches |
81 cm |
| Waist |
25 inches |
64 cm |
| Hip |
34 inches |
86 cm |
| Sleeve |
23 inches |
58 cm |
Black wool jersey with red glass rhinestone question marks. Bette Davis wore red version on Letterman 1989. Mock neck, long sleeves, shoulder pads. Brooklyn Museum exhibited clear version 2004. Museum-quality, extremely rare. Gentle stretch. Excellent condition. Labelled a US 6.
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![Patrick Kelly: A Retrospective. [04/17/2004 - 09/05/2004]. Installation view.
Photo: Brooklyn Museum](http://thewaywewore.com/cdn/shop/files/Screenshot_2026-01-05_at_5.44.38_PM.png?crop=center&height=1554&v=1768342752&width=2342)
![Patrick Kelly: A Retrospective. [04/17/2004 - 09/05/2004]. Installation view.
Photo: Brooklyn Museum](http://thewaywewore.com/cdn/shop/files/Screenshot_2026-01-05_at_5.44.38_PM.png?v=1768342752)
![Patrick Kelly: A Retrospective. [04/17/2004 - 09/05/2004]. Installation view.
Photo: Brooklyn Museum](http://thewaywewore.com/cdn/shop/files/Screenshot_2026-01-05_at_5.44.38_PM.png?crop=center&height=160&v=1768342752&width=160)
