Designed by

Scott, L'Wren, American, 1964 - 2014

Worn by

Winfrey, Oprah, American, born 1954

Subject of

Harpo, Inc., American, founded 1986

Medium

a: silk twill, synthetic fiber, and metal fasteners;

b: silk chiffon, silk twill, and metal fasteners

Dimensions

H x W x D ((ab) on form): 43 1/2 × 26 × 14 in. (110.5 × 66 × 35.6 cm)

H x W ((b) flat): 29 × 41 1/4 in. (73.7 × 104.8 cm)

Type

dresses

Place used

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

2011

Description

This peach dress (a) and pleated chiffon belt (b) were designed by L'Wren Scott and worn by Oprah Winfrey during the series finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show in May 2011. The dress is made from a peach twill silk and has a fitted bodice that ends at the natural waist. A band of self-fabric piping trims the scoop neckline. The sleeves are 3/4 length and straight cut. A band of self-fabric decorative piping is sewn near the hem of the sleeves. The pencil skirt falls to the mid-calf and has a 5 1/2-inch slit at the center back. The dress closes at the center back with a metal zipper painted peach to match the fabric, which extends from the neckline to the lower back. One (1) metal hook-and-eye is sewn above the zipper. The interior bodice and skirt of the dress are lined with a cream mesh synthetic fabric, while the sleeves are not lined. A length of peach thread is sewn at each interior top shoulder that can be closed with one (1) small metal snap each. The hem of the skirt is turned to the interior and edged with peach lace on the seam. The hem of the skirt lining is edged in cream lace. A white rectangular fabric label with plum embroidery reading "L'Wren Scott" is sewn at the interior proper left back side below the neckline.

This pleated chiffon belt accompanies the peach dress (a). The chiffon fabric is dyed in an ombre ranging from peach to mauve. The waistband of the belt is faced in the chiffon with only the peach to pale pink ombre. It closes at the proper right front side with three (3) flat metal hook-and-eyes and one (1) metal snap. The closure is behind a stiff rectangular material covered in the peach chiffon. Extending below the closure are three tiered flounces of the pleated chiffon featuring the full range of ombre colors. The interior of the waistband is lined in the same peach fabric used for the dress (a). Four (4) pieces of vertically-oriented boning are sewn inside the lining at intervals around the waistband. A white rectangular fabric label with plum embroidery reading "L'Wren Scott" is sewn at the interior proper left side.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Communication

Costume

Entertainers

Fashion

Fashion design

Mass media

Television

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Oprah Winfrey

Object number

2016.7.2ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Exhibition

A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 1, C1 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Worn by

Taylor, Clarice, American, 1917 - 2011

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

synthetic fiber, satin, velvet, net, and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form (a)): 62 1/4 × 27 1/2 × 24 in. (158.1 × 69.9 × 61 cm)

H x W x D (In box (a)): 60 × 22 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (152.4 × 57.8 × 21.6 cm)

L x W x D (from center back bodice with train extended (a)): 71 in. (180.3 cm)

H x W x D (In box (b)): 32 × 22 × 8 in. (81.3 × 55.9 × 20.3 cm)

Waist (at widest point (b)): 34 in. (86.4 cm)

Type

gowns

Place used

New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1975

Description

This teal and blue floor-length gown and purple petticoat are part of a costume worn by Clarice Taylor as Addaperle in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The sleeveless gown (a) has a fitted bodice and a full skirt with a ruffled hem and short train, and is decorated in a patchwork style with pieces of blue, teal, green and purple fabrics. The petticoat (b) is made of a multi-layered purple synthetic taffeta.

The bodice of the gown is made of teal satin synthetic fiber lined with drill. The bodice is sleeveless, fitted, and has an open scoop neck. Two (2) patches of velvet, one dark blue and one dark teal, are hand-sewn to the center front of the bodice. The interior front of the bodice has five (5) pieces of boning tape sewn lengthwise from top to waist, but the boning has been removed from all but the two outermost tapes.

The skirt of the gown is floor-length and very full, lengthening in the back with a short train. Teal satin synthetic fiber is sewn in box pleats to the bodice at the waist. The skirt has several large patches of fabric machine-sewn in a random pattern to the teal ground using a zigzag stitch. The patches are of dark blue velvet, dark teal velvet, light green satin and medium green satin. Some of the light green patches are sewn so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out. Additionally, there are four (4) "envelopes" attached to the skirt, which are white satin rectangles with flaps trimmed in blue ribbon to look like mailing envelopes. The envelopes are only attached along the bottom and the sides, leaving the top open as a pocket. Two envelopes have Velcro closures, making them function as additional pockets. There are three (3) white gloves sewn to the skirt at the wrists and fingertips, each of which is stuffed with foam. A flounce made of medium teal synthetic fiber, trimmed at the top edge with purple velvet and at the bottom edge with purple grosgrain ribbon, is sewn along the bottom of the skirt. The skirt is not lined, but there is a net underskirt with a ruffled hem doubled over and attached across the back interior of the skirt. The interior waistband of the skirt is made of a white grosgrain ribbon that closes at the center back with a hook on the proper right back and two eyes for adjustable fit on the proper left back. A silver zipper begins below the waist of the center back skirt and ends at the top of the bodice neck. A hook-and-eye closure is sewn above the zipper at the center back neck.

The petticoat (b) is made of a multi-layered purple synthetic taffeta. Like the gown, it is shorter in front. Two tiers of ruffles are sewn at the hemline, each edged in synthetic net stiffener. The waistband is adjustable with hook and eye fasteners, including six (6) eyes ranging from 29 - 34" waist. As an alteration, one (1) additional eye was sewn onto the waistband at 25".

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.10.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Davy, Peter, Vincentian, 1944 - 1990

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

spandex satin, net, sequins, and beads, with metal and plastic zipper

Dimensions

H x W x D (flat): 58 5/8 × 18 3/4 × 15/16 in. (148.9 × 47.6 × 2.4 cm)

H x W x D (on form): 58 × 18 × 12 1/2 in. (147.3 × 33 × 31.8 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1985-1990

Description

A black spandex satin dress with a hand-shaped cut-out decoration designed by Peter Davy. The dress has a sweetheart neckline in the front and a plunging V-neck at the back, and one shoulder strap on the proper right side. The bodice is fitted and the skirt is straight with a thigh-high slit at the proper left front side. The stomach and waist of the dress has a large oval cut-out reaching from the proper left front around the proper right side and ending at the proper left back made from light brown net fabric. A black satin hand is sewn at the proper right side seam of the cut-out with the fingers outstretched and reaching toward the proper left side. The hand is bordered with a line of black sequins and beads, with all-over black sequins and beading on the hand and bright red sequins and beads on each fingernail to mimic red nail polish. Three (3) small red sequin and beaded leaves are sewn at the bottom proper left side of the cut-out. The cut-out is trimmed in a band of black sequins, as are the neckline and the proper right strap. An undulating line of the small red sequin and beaded leaves begins at the top of the shoulder strap and extends down the back side of the strap, ending at the center back. Four (4) strands of fringe made from small round black beads each ending in a large flat round black sequin are sewn at the shoulder seam of the strap. Lengths of this same style of beaded and sequin fringe are sewn along the sides of the slit in the skirt, thirty (30) in total. The dress closes at the proper left side with a black metal and plastic zipper.

The dress is lined in black synthetic fabric only at the bodice above the cut-out section. Boning is sewn between the facing and the lining at each center front side. Black hanger loops are sewn at each interior side seam. A white fabric label with black printed text is sewn at the interior proper left back side that reads, "An Original / by / Peter Davy" with three (3) black diamonds down the proper left side of the label.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.102

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Davy, Peter, Vincentian, 1944 - 1990

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

synthetic organza, synthetic satin, synthetic lace, sequins, and beads, with metal and plastic fasteners

Dimensions

H x W x D (flat): 58 3/4 × 24 × 6 in. (149.2 × 61 × 15.2 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1985-1990

Description

A red organza and satin dress with a ruffled collar and lace, bead, and sequin embellishments designed by Peter Davy. The body of the dress is made from red satin overlaid in red organza. The bodice of the dress has a low-cut straight front neckline and a high back neckline. A panel similar to a stomacher is sewn at the front bodice, ending in a point at the waist, made from white satin fabric overlaid in red net floral lace decorated in red sequins and beads. A pleated ruffle made from the red organza borders the stomacher panel and continues over the shoulders and around the high back neck. A panel of the white satin overlaid in red lace with sequin and beading decoration is sewn across the back neck to make a standing collar, with the organza ruffle extending above it. The dress is fitted through the bodice with a sheath skirt that has a thigh-high slit at the proper left front. A paillette made from white synthetic knit fabric overlaid in red net floral lace and decorated with red sequins and beads is sewn above the slit. The full-length sleeves are made from the sheer red organza. The tapered cuffs of each sleeve are embellished with white synthetic knit fabric overlaid in red net floral lace, which is decorated with red sequins and beads. The dress closes at the center back with a red metal and plastic zipper. One (1) metal snap is attached at the center back to join the sides of the organza ruffle.

The dress is not lined. White hanger loops are sewn at each interior shoulder seam. Red net encased in the red organza is gathered and sewn at the interior of each sleeve shoulder seam. The interior hem and skirt slit are trimmed in red floral lace. A white fabric label with black printed text is sewn at the interior proper right back side that reads, "An Original / by / Peter Davy" with three (3) black diamonds down the proper left side of the label.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.103

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Davy, Peter, Vincentian, 1944 - 1990

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

synthetic velvet, lamé, synthetic net, and synthetic knit fiber, with metal and plastic zipper

Dimensions

H x W x D (flat): 54 1/4 × 27 × 4 in. (137.8 × 68.6 × 10.2 cm)

H x W x D (on form): 55 1/2 × 26 × 15 3/4 in. (141 × 37.5 × 40 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1985-1990

Description

A black and silver dress with silver lamé ruffle details designed by Peter Davy. The strapless bodice is made from black velvet. It has a sweetheart neckline and a dropped waistline. The bodice is shaped and fitted, including at the natural waist and hips. Accordion pleated silver lamé ruffles are sewn around the top of the bodice and around the waistline. The full, floor-length skirt is gathered at the waistline and is made from black synthetic fabric overlaid with black net lace with an all-over pattern of small silver lamé dots. The dress closes at the center back with a black metal and plastic zipper.

The bodice of the dress is lined in black knit synthetic fabric. Boning is sewn between the facing and lining of the bodice at each front side, each side, and each back side, making six (6) pieces in total. The skirt is not lined. Black hanger loops are sewn at the interior bodice at each side. There are no labels in the dress.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.104

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Davy, Peter, Vincentian, 1944 - 1990

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

crepe, synthetic fiber, and sequins, with metal and plastic zipper

Dimensions

H x W x D (flat): 55 3/4 × 23 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (141.6 × 59.7 × 3.8 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1985-1990

Description

A chocolate brown crepe dress with metallic embellishments designed by Peter Davy. The dress has a high, rounded neckline, full-length blousy sleeves with fitted cuffs, and a straight skirt falling below the knee with a high slit at the center back. The body is made from a double-layer of brown crepe, while the sleeves are made from a single layer of the crepe. Pieces of metallic copper and black synthetic fabric trimmed in gold sequins are sewn around the neck opening, at each fitted cuff, along the proper left front near the sleeve opening, and in an undulating line that begins at the proper right front side sleeve seam and extends diagonally across the body to the proper left front hip. Rays of the copper fabric emanate from below the undulating line, getting progressively longer moving from proper right to proper left across the front skirt. The dress closes at the center back with a gray metal and plastic zipper.

The dress is not lined and there are no labels.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.107

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981

Worn by

Dowd, Barbara Baldwin, American

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

silk, tulle, linen, metal, and elastic

Dimensions

Waist: 23", Length: 53", Hem: 85"

Storage: 25.4 x 152.4 x 55.9 cm (10 x 60 x 22 in.)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1966-1967

Description

An ivory dress decorated with swirls of handmade fabric rose vines, designed by Ann Lowe. The variety of rose depicted on the dress is the American Beauty, which has led to it being called the "American Beauty" dress. The bodice of the dress is sleeveless, with a scoop neck front, princess seams and a deep "v" in the back reaching to the waist. The skirt of the dress has a flat front, and the skirt gathers toward the center-back waist with box pleats to create a small bustle silhouette. Green silk vines and leaves, covered in two-toned pink rose blooms and buds, begin at each front shoulder above the bust, cover both shoulders, and run along the edges of the open back bodice to the center back. On the proper right side, one (1) small vine continues below the waist and wraps around the hip to the front of the skirt. On the proper left side, two (2) longer vines continue below the waist and wrap around to the front of the skirt, the longest ending just above the hemline and wrapping all the way around to the proper right front. The dress closes up the center back with a silver zipper that begins below the center back waist and ends above the waist. Two (2) large roses in full bloom are attached at the center back waist.

The interior of the bodice is lined with ivory fabric. In the front and back of the bodice, boning is sewn at regular intervals to provide structure and shaping. Individual breast cups are shaped into the cut of the garment. A thin piece of elastic, attached in three places at the proper left, center front and proper right, provides support underneath the bust line. Thin shoulder straps made of the same material as the lining are tacked to the interior of the outer straps. A wider elastic band is tacked at the center front and closes in the center back with two hook-and-eyes to provide further bust support. An interior waistband of cream grosgrain ribbon is tacked to the interior waistline and closes at the center back with two (2) hook-and-eyes. The interior of the skirt is lined with light cream silk knit. The skirt has one (1) petticoat, made of ivory faille and lined with heavy linen that attaches to the waist at the center back with a hook-and-eye. The bottom of the petticoat has a tulle ruffle and is edged with stiffener.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

United States--Social life and customs

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.19

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rosa Parks, American, 1913 - 2005

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

synthetic fiber and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 47 1/2 × 16 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (120.7 × 42.5 × 3.2 cm)

Chest: 40 in. (101.6 cm)

Waist: 28 1/4 in. (71.8 cm)

Hem circumference: 78 in. (198.1 cm)

Belt: 2 3/4 × 33 1/4 × 3/8 in. (7 × 84.5 × 1 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

Montgomery, Alabama, United States, North and Central America

Date

1955 - 1956

Description

This dress (a) is a wrap style made from a plain weave viscose fabric with a printed design of dark brown and yellow flowers and leaves. The wrap effect is achieved by crossing the front bodice at the waist seam and gathered fabric on the proper left side of the waist. The skirt is flaired with six (6) gores and three pleats in the skirt at the center front add further to the wrap effect. The set-in full length sleeves are gathered at a 1 1/4" cuff that closes with two metal snaps. The dress has a small shawl collar and a v-neck. The dress closes at the proper left side waist with a zipper. It is unlined, and the seams are pressed open with raw edges exposed. It is machine-sewn except for the hem, which is turned up 2 inches and hand stitched. There are two belt loops made of a thin yellow braid, one at each side seam, which hold the accompanying belt (b) in place.

The belt (b) is made from the same fashion fabric as the dress, with a plain weave beige fabric backing. The front and back of the belt are machine stitched around the edge, and a layer of interfacing beteen them provides some stiffening. The belt has an oval-shaped metal single-prong buckle covered in the dark brown and yellow floral fabric, and five (5) white grommets on the opposite end of the belt for an adjustable closure.

Topic

African American

American South

Civil rights

Clothing and dress

Resistance

Segregation

United States--History--1953-1961

Urban life

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Exhibition

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981

Worn by

Patricia Schieffer, American

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

silk, satin, tulle, taffeta, linen, metal, and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 53 × 33 1/4 × 29 in. (134.6 × 84.5 × 73.7 cm)

Waist: 25 1/2 in. (64.8 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1959

Description

A pink satin and organza dress designed by Ann Lowe. The bodice of the dress is strapless and is made of a pale pink satin. At the upper bust, pale pink organza gathers to cover the décolletage, which is decorated with cream and pale pink sequin paillettes. There is a band of bright pink satin below the organza décolletage that continues around both sides of the bodice to gather at the center back, on either side of the zipper. This bright pink satin band continues running down the back of the skirt all the way to the hemline, creating two (2) streamers. The skirt is made of pale pink satin and is cut full and round, with slightly more structure at the hips and back. A panel of pale pink organza, decorated with the same sequin paillettes as the bodice, runs down the center front of the skirt from the waist to the hem. The dress closes in the back with a zipper that runs from the top of the center back bodice to the center back below the waist. There is one (1) hook-and-eye closure at the top of the zipper. Three (3) small bows are stitched just to the proper right side of the zipper, covering the zipper when closed. A small metal snap is sewn onto the two (2) bright pink bands so that they close over the bottom of the zipper.

The interior of the bodice is lined with pale pink fabric. In the front and back of the bodice, boning is sewn at regular intervals to provide structure and shaping. Individual breast cups are shaped into the cut of the garment. A thin piece of elastic, attached in three places at the proper left, center front and proper right, provides support underneath the bust line. A wider elastic band is tacked at the center front and closes in the center back with two hook-and-eyes to provide further bust support. An interior waistband of cream grosgrain ribbon is tacked to the interior waistline and closes at the center back. The skirt interior has two petticoats and a bustle. The innermost petticoat is made of a pale pink taffeta lined with stiff linen and hemmed with ruched pink tulle. This petticoat attaches to the waist at the center back with a hook-and-eye. The next layer of the underskirt is a pink net bustle attached along the back of the skirt. The final layer of the underskirt is the outermost petticoat, which is made of pale pink organza and has an attached ruffled hem. This outer petticoat is visible along the exposed panel of organza down the center front of the dress. There is no label in the dress.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

United States--Social life and customs

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.20

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981

Worn by

Patricia Schieffer, American

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

silk, tulle, linen, metal, and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 54 × 33 × 29 1/2 in. (137.2 × 83.8 × 74.9 cm)

Waist: 23 in. (58.4 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1958

Description

A cream silk faille dress with embroidered floral appliqué decorations designed by Ann Lowe. The dress has a bodice with cap sleeves, a scoop neck front, and a deep scoop neck back. Shaping of the bodice and waist is created with princess seams, but there is no waistline seam. The skirt is shaped round and very full, with some additional fullness at the hips. The dress is decorated throughout with machine-embroidered cream and pink flowers with green leaves. The embroidery is stitched to the dress at the neckline, the center back seam to the back waist of the bodice, and in six large sprays to the skirt at the front left, proper left, back left, back right, proper right, and front right. Two lengths of cream silk faille are pleated and attached at back waist to create streamers that reach to the hemline of the skirt. The streamers are decorated with small machine embroidered pink flowers that are basted by hand to the fabric. The dress closes with a zipper running from the top of the center back bodice to center back below the waist.

The interior of the bodice is lined with cream fabric. In the front and back of the bodice, boning is sewn at regular intervals to provide structure and shaping. Individual breast cups are shaped into the cut of the garment. A thin piece of elastic, attached in three places at the proper left, center front and proper right, provides support underneath the bust line. A wider elastic band is tacked at the center front and closes in the center back with two hook-and-eyes to provide further bust support. An interior waistband of cream grosgrain ribbon is tacked to the interior waistline and closes at the center back. Lengths of thin elastic are sewn over the tops of the shoulders to keep the sleeves in place. The interior of the skirt is unlined and has one petticoat. The petticoat is made of a cream faille lined with heavy linen. The petticoat is hemmed with ruched cream tulle and edged with stiffener. It attaches to the waist at the center back with a hook-and-eye and a metal snap. Nylon netting is gathered and attached at the left and right interior sides as pannier-like structures undearneath the petticoat. There is no label in the dress.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

United States--Social life and customs

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.21

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Exhibition

Cultural Expressions

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

silk, chiffon, taffeta, net, metal, and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 42 1/2 × 24 × 16 1/2 in. (108 × 61 × 41.9 cm)

Waist: 24 in. (61 cm)

Type

dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1960

Description

A sleeveless black cocktail dress with handmade pink floral decorations designed by Ann Lowe. The bodice is made of black chiffon, and has a scoop neck and princess seams.

The neckline is trimmed with a decorative vine of green satin leaves and pink satin rose buds, completed with a full-blown pink satin rose at the center front bust. The skirt consists of an underskirt of black taffeta lined with black net, covered by a tightly-pleated overskirt of black chiffon that gives the skirt fullness and movement. A green satin cummerbund waistband is accented with a pink satin and organza handmade rose in full bloom that is basted to the proper left front hip. The dress closes in the back with a zipper running from the top of the center back bodice to below the waist.

The interior of the bodice is lined with black taffeta fabric. In the front and back of the bodice, boning is sewn at regular intervals to provide structure and shaping. Individual breast cups are shaped into the cut of the garment. A thin piece of elastic, attached in three places at the proper left, center front and proper right, provides support underneath the bust line. A wider elastic band is tacked at the center front and closes in the center back with two hook-and-eyes to provide further bust support. An interior waistband of black grosgrain ribbon is tacked to the interior waistline and closes at the center back. The black taffeta underskirt serves as the petticoat. It attaches to the waist at the center back with a hook-and-eye and a metal snap. There is no label in the dress.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

United States--Social life and customs

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.22

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981

Worn by

Dowd, Barbara Baldwin, American

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

brocaded silk taffeta, silk chiffon, synthetic fiber, buckram, elastic and metal fasteners

Dimensions

H x W: 55 × 46 in. (139.7 × 116.8 cm)

Waist: 30 in. (76.2 cm)

Type

evening dresses

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1966 - 1967

Caption

Ann Lowe, considered one of the leading American designers of the 20th century, made beautifully embroidered and hand-stitched gowns. Born in Alabama, Lowe eventually settled in New York City where she dressed society ladies through the 1950s and 1960s. She is renowned as the designer of Jackie Kennedy's wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses.

Description

Pale green teal silk sari gown designed by Ann Lowe. The bodice is sleeveless with a scooped neckline and an empire waist. It is made from the border section of a sari featuring heavy metallic brocade in a geometric design, with the embroidered leaves from a sari border fussy cut from the fabric and sewn around the waist line, the bottom edges left loose to create a three-dimensional detail. The floor-length skirt has a flat front and is slightly gathered at the back. It is made from a sari that has an all-over design of metallic brocaded stylized leaves scattered at wide intervals with blank spaces between them. The edge of the skirt hem is trimmed in a sari border with a stylized floral and geometric metallic brocade design. Individual small metallic brocade leaves fussy cut from a larger sari fabric are sewn onto the skirt near the larger brocaded leaves of the skirt fabric. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) metal hook-and-eye. Attached along the back top edge of the bodice is a panel of the same sari fabric used on the skirt that is separate from the back of the dress, extending down to meet the hemline of the skirt. The panel is gathered and seamed along the top edge of the bodice, with a slit cut in the back bodice corresponding to the zipper closure of the dress underneath. This slit is fastened shut with two (2) metal hooks into thread loops. The side and bottom edges of the panel are trimmed in the same sari border used to trim the skirt hem. Pre-tied bows with short tails made from the sari border are sewn at each back shoulder over the top corner seams of the back panel.

The interior bodice is lined in light blue fabric with boning sewn between the facing and lining around the bodice. Interior shoulder straps made from light pink fabric are tacked to the interior of the shoulder straps. A thin strip of elastic is tacked across the bodice outlining the breast cups. A wider band of elastic is tacked at the center front and wraps around under the bust line to fasten at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. An interior waist band made from cream ribbon is sewn at the empire waist line and fastens at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. The skirt and the underside of the back panel are lined in light teal silk chiffon. There is an attached petticoat made from the same light blue lining material as the bodice that is lined with light weight buckram. A self-fabric pleated ruffle is sewn at the bottom of the petticoat and the bottom edge of the petticoat hem is trimmed in stiff plastic buckram. A white fabric label with black embroidered text is sewn at the center front onto the interior waist band that reads "ANN LOWE / A. F. Chantilly Inc. / NEW YORK" with a woman in a ball gown at the right side.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Fashion design

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.23

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture