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  • Costume gown and petticoat for Addaperle in The Wiz on Broadway

    Costume gown and petticoat for Addaperle in The Wiz on Broadway

    Designed by
    Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014
    Worn by
    Taylor, Clarice, American, 1917 - 2011
    Created by
    Grace Costumes Inc., founded 1966
    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
    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
    See more items in
    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
  • Black satin dress with hand-shaped decoration designed by Peter Davy

    Black satin dress with hand-shaped decoration designed by Peter Davy

    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
    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
  • Red dress with ruffled collar designed by Peter Davy

    Red dress with ruffled collar designed by Peter Davy

    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
    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
  • Black and silver drop waist dress with ruffle details designed by Peter Davy

    Black and silver drop waist dress with ruffle details designed by Peter Davy

    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
    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
  • Brown crepe dress with metallic embellishments designed by Peter Davy.

    Brown crepe dress with metallic embellishments designed by Peter Davy.

    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
    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
  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    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
    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
  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    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
    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
  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    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
    See more items in
    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
  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    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
  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    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

  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Worn by
    Dowd, Barbara Baldwin, American
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk satin, chiffon, synthetic fiber, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 55 × 30 in. (139.7 × 76.2 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Place made
    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1966-1967; altered 1973
    Description
    White dress with handmade flower embellishments designed by Ann Lowe. The dress is sleeveless with a scoop neck and an asymmetric waistline that is cut as an empire waist at the front and then plunges downward at the side to the natural waist at the center back. The bodice is made from layers of white chiffon with the neck and arm openings trimmed in short pleated ruffles made from the chiffon. The front of the full-length skirt is made from ivory silk satin with a brocaded monotone medium-scale design of scattered chrysanthemums with leaves and stems. The back skirt is made from ivory silk satin with the brocaded flower elements present on the front of the skirt cut out from that fabric and then sewn onto the plain satin in a scattered manner similar to the look of the front fabric. The back of the skirt is pleated at the back waist for fullness. The bottom of the skirt is embellished with handmade flowers in white satin and chiffon. The flowers include roses in various blooming stages, chrysanthemums, and other unidentified species. There are handmade white satin leaves with machine embroidered veins and interspersed within the flowers, which surround a meandering satin tube representing the stem of a vine. Some of the leaves are sewn in pairs around the waist seam. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) metal hook-and-eye.
    The interior of the bodice is lined in light weight white rayon. The skirt is lined in heavier weight white synthetic fabric. There are no labels.
    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
    2007.3.24
    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

  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk taffeta, silk faille, buckram, elastic, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 55 1/2 × 42 in. (141 × 106.7 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Place made
    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    mid-1950s
    Description
    Cream and red taffeta gown designed by Ann Lowe. The dress is sleeveless with an asymmetric neckline and a full floor-length skirt. The dress is made from cream silk taffeta with dark red taffeta accents. The bodice is fitted to the natural waist and has shoulder straps and a vertically pleated section at the proper left breast that stands slightly taller than the rest of the bodice. The skirt is a faux-wrap that is seamed to an attached petticoat down the center front, with the proper right side folding on top of the proper left side and gathered at the proper left waist. The underside of the fold is lined in dark red taffeta that shows to the facing side in the cascading folds. Two (2) very large loops lined in the dark red are gathered and attached at the proper left waist, both loops falling to the front of the dress. A pleated band of cream taffeta attaches underneath the bow and wraps around the back of the dress, ending at a point in the back with a weight sewn inside the point. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) hook-and-eye.
    The interior of the bodice is lined in cream silk faille. Boning is sewn into the lining around the bodice. Circles of soft padding cased in the cream faille are sewn at each breast cup. A thin band of elastic is tacked across the front bodice outlining the bottom breast cups. A wider band of elastic is tacked at the center front under the bust and fastens at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. An interior waist band support made from cream ribbon is sewn around the interior waist, fastening at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. Hanger loops made from cream ribbon are sewn at each interior side. The attached silk faille and buckram crinoline of the skirt fastens at the center back interior skirt with one (1) metal snap and one (1) metal hook-and-eye at the top of the crinoline. Both the crinoline and the skirt hem are trimmed in plastic buckram. A white fabric label with black embroidered text is sewn to the interior center front of the waist band support that reads "fashioned exclusively / at / Ann Lowe's / Gowns".
    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
    2007.3.25
    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

  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Worn by
    Cammann, Nora Francke, American, 1932 - 2014
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk taffeta, silk faille, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 56 1/2 × 25 in. (143.5 × 63.5 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Place made
    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1950
    Description
    Pale yellow and chartreuse silk taffeta gown designed by Ann Lowe. The dress is strapless with an attached off-the-shoulder strap. It has a fitted bodice to the natural waist and a full skirt with an asymmetrical hemline. The skirt trails on the floor at the proper right side, and is shorter on the proper left side ending near the ankle. A panel of the taffeta is gathered and pleated to form the shoulder strap, which is attached at the proper left front bodice under a vertical strip of the taffeta that also serves to gather up a separate panel of pleated taffeta that is attached around the top edge of the bodice. A pre-tied self-fabric bow lined in chartreuse taffeta is sewn at the center back of the shoulder strap, which attaches to the center back of the bodice with two (2) hooks corresponding to eyes on either back side of the bodice. The waistband of the dress is made from a wide pleated piece of the yellow taffeta with an over-sized pre-tied bow attached at the proper left front side. The bow has long tails, with the loops and tails lined in the chartreuse taffeta. The skirt is pleated around the waistband for fullness. The bottom ten (10) inches of the skirt is lined with the chartreuse, which shows on the facing side within the cascading folds of the asymmetric skirt. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) hook-and-eye.
    The interior bodice is lined in pale yellow silk faille with boning sewn around the bodice. There is a cream ribbon sewn as an interior waistband that closes at the center back with two (2) hook-and-eyes. There is an attached petticoat made from the yellow faille. It attaches separately with one (1) snap and one (1) hook-and-eye at the center back underneath the exterior zipper closure. Cream ribbon hanger loops are sewn at each interior side of the bodice. There are no labels.
    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
    2007.3.26
    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

  • Dress and shawl designed by Ann Lowe

    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Worn by
    Cammann, Nora Francke, American, 1932 - 2014
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    tulle, lace, acetate, plastic buckram, elastic, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (a flat): 50 × 65 in. (127 × 165.1 cm)
    H x W (b flat): 32 × 123 in. (81.3 × 312.4 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    shawls
    Place made
    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1950; altered 1951
    Description
    Strapless blue tulle and lace dress (a) with matching shawl (b) designed by Ann Lowe. The dress has a strapless fitted bodice with a sweetheart neckline. It is fitted to the natural waist, then has a floor-length full skirt. The bodice is covered in layers of pleated dark blue tulle with the top neckline trimmed in dark blue floral lace with metallic gold accents. The skirt is made from three (3) layers of the tulle over a dark blue acetate underskirt. On the outer layer the tulle and four (4) wide bands of the lace alternate down the skirt in horizontal bands. There is an additional top layer of the blue tulle that is short at the center front with rounded edges that extend down along the sides and create a full train in the back in line with the hemline of the skirt. The tulle of this top layer is embellished with scattered bits of the lace appliquéd onto the tulle throughout and the edges trimmed in bands of the lace. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and two (2) hook-and-eyes.
    The interior bodice is lined with the dark blue acetate. Boning is cased in blue or black fabric and attached around the bodice. There is a thin band of black elastic tacked across the interior bodice outlining the breast cups. A wider band of white elastic is tacked at the center front under the bust line that fastens at the center back with two (2) hook-and-eyes. An interior waistband made from black ribbon is sewn around the waist and attaches at the center back with two (2) hook-and-eyes. There are hanger loops made from the blue acetate sewn at each interior front side. The undersides of the hems of the top cascading layer of tulle, the tulle and lace banded layer, and the acetate under skirt are trimmed in black plastic buckram. A cream fabric label with red printed text reading "Ann Lowe" is sewn to the interior waist band at the proper left back side.
    The shawl (b) is made from the same dark blue tulle with scattered bits of lace appliquéd onto the tulle throughout. The edges are finished with a machine picot stitch.
    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
    2007.3.27ab
    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

  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk satin, silk faille, lace, tulle, cotton, plastic trimming, elastic, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 59 1/4 × 36 in. (150.5 × 91.4 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Place made
    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    mid 20th century
    Description
    Ivory lace and satin evening dress designed by Ann Lowe. The dress is sleeveless with a scalloped front neck and plunging V back neckline. The skirt is floor length with a slightly ruffling hem. The dress consists of an under dress made of ivory silk faille with a thin covering of white tulle, including a thicker ruffled tulle section at the bottom of the skirt. It is hidden from the exterior by an over dress made of ivory floral net lace with ivory satin accents. It mirrors the shaping of the under dress, but is slightly longer. The lace is embellished with trim made from thin short strips of iridescent white plastic attached at the middle to white thread, with the thread sewn onto the lace outlining the floral design of the lace. The lace extends beyond the under dress around the neckline and onto the shoulder straps and upper back where it is only backed with white tulle, with the edge cut in a scallop outlining the neck and arm openings. An ivory satin ribbon is wrapped around the waistline. A band of ivory silk satin is sewn on the skirt in a diagonal that begins at the hip of the proper left side and then extends downward across the skirt near the hem of the proper right side, bisecting the lace portions of the skirt. The satin band is continuous around the front and back of the skirt. Pieces of the trim-embellished floral lace are cut so that floral elements extend onto the sides of the satin band. Two wide satin streamers are pleated and sewn at the proper left back, one at the top of the satin band and the other at the waist underneath the ribbon waistband. The top streamer reaches nearly to the hemline of the skirt, the bottom streamer extends slightly beyond the skirt hem. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) hook-and-eye. The waist band closes separately at the center back on top of the zipper with one (1) metal snap.
    The interior bodice is lined in the ivory silk faille used for the under dress. Boning is sewn around the bodice between the faille layers. A thin band of elastic is tacked across the bodice outlining the breast cups. A wider band of elastic is tacked at the center front under the bust line that fastens at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. An interior waistband made of ivory ribbon is sewn around the interior empire waist that closes at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. The interior of the under dress is lined in white cotton. The interior of the over dress is lined in the white tulle used to cover the under dress. The edge of the skirt hem on the over dress is trimmed in plastic buckram. Hanger loops made from the faille are sewn at each interior front side. A white fabric label with black embroidered text is sewn at the center front of the interior waistband that reads "ANN LOWE / A. F. Chantilly, Inc. / NEW YORK" with a woman in a ball gown at the right.
    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
    2007.3.28
    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

  • Dress designed by Ann Lowe

    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Worn by
    Marks, Jennifer Peabody, American
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk taffeta, silk organdy, passementerie, synthetic fiber, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 53 × 34 in. (134.6 × 86.4 cm)
    Type
    debutante dresses
    Place made
    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1966
    Description
    White taffeta and organdy debutante dress designed by Ann Lowe. The dress has a fitted sleeveless bodice with a scooped front neckline and an empire waist, and a plunging V back. The dress is fitted with shaping seams through the natural waist with a full floor-length skirt that has a deep pleat at each back side near the center. The dress is made from white silk taffeta with white pleated organdy and white floral appliqué details. The entire bodice is covered in the pleated organdy, including the shoulder straps. A row of white embroidered flower passementerie in various shapes and sizes are appliquéd around the waistline. The bottom of the skirt features three (3) flounces of pleated organdy, each with the top seam covered in a row of the white embroidered flower passementerie. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) hook-and-eye. One small flower passementerie closes over the zipper onto the proper left with one (1) metal snap.
    The interior of the bodice is lined in the white silk taffeta, with the breast cups lined instead in a light weight nylon or rayon. A white ribbon interior waistband is sewn at the empire waist line, fastening at the center back with two (2) metal hook-and-eyes. The skirt is lined in white synthetic that is slightly stiff. 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.
    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
    2007.3.29
    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

  • Miniature dress inspired by First Ladies Collection made by Ann Lowe

    Created by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk satin, synthetic fiber, passementerie, and metal zipper
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 44 1/2 × 12 in. (113 × 30.5 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Date
    late 1960s - early 1970s
    Description
    A miniature brown dress inspired by the First Ladies Collection created by Ann Lowe. The dress has a fitted bodice to the natural waist with a sweetheart neckline and full-length tapered sleeves. The skirt is full and floor-length with a train at the back. The bodice is made from light brown silk satin while the skirt is made from the same shade of light brown satin with an all-over monotone brocaded pattern of medium-scale flowers with stems and leaves. Passementerie made of embroidered bronze toned flowers are appliquéd onto the dress around the front sides of the neck, at each front side bodice, at each outer forearm sleeve, and sporadically around the front and back of the skirt. The dress closes at the center back with a metal zipper.
    The interior of the bodice is lined in light weight cream fabric. The skirt is lined in a medium weight ivory colored fabric. There are no labels.
    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
    2007.3.30
    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-Historical
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture

  • Miniature dress inspired by First Lady Hayes made by Ann Lowe

    Created by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk satin, faille, lace, sequins, beads, fringe, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 53 × 21 1/2 in. (134.6 × 54.6 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Date
    late 1960s - early 1970s
    Description
    A miniature ivory dress inspired by First Lady Hayes made by Ann Lowe. The dress is made of ivory silk satin with heavy embellishments of lace, beading, sequins, and fringe. The bodice is fitted to the natural waist with a round neckline and full-length tapered sleeves. The front bodice and neckline are embellished with ivory and metallic floral lace that is further hand decorated with faux pearl beads and metallic sequins. Panels of the lace trim the neck and outline a stomacher-type center front bodice, reaching a point at the center front waist. A single panel of lace is also sewn on the outer side of each sleeve, with the cuffs trimmed in lace. A pre-tied ivory satin bow without tails is tacked at the outer side of each cuff. The skirt is gathered and tacked down at each front side thigh to reveal a heavily embellished petticoat. Both the skirt and the petticoat have a train at the back. The passementerie decorating the petticoat is arranged in tiers and includes the same floral ivory and metallic lace used on the bodice also decorated in beads and sequins, rosettes made from ivory satin, and gold colored fringe. The bottom hem of the petticoat has rounded deep cut outs resembling petals all the way around, with a pleated ivory ruffle sewn underneath the cut outs. The top front edges of the skirt are tacked down at the waist, then folded outward and sewn down at each front side thigh with the sequined and beaded floral lace covering the seams, each piece of the lace backed in the satin and with short strands of faux pearl fringe hanging from the tips. Flowers from a larger piece of metallic floral lace have been fussy cut and then sewn in a random scattered pattern onto the skirt around the sides and back. The back of the skirt has deep pleats at the center back waist to accommodate a bustle. The hemline of the back train is slightly shorter than the hemline of the petticoat train, revealing the petal shaped cut outs and pleated ruffle hem details. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) metal hook-and-eye.
    The interior bodice is made from ivory faille and includes shoulder straps made from the faille. Some of this lining shows through underneath the lace covering the stomacher section of the bodice on the facing side. There is an underskirt made from the ivory faille seamed to the bodice lining. The petticoat is fully lined in the ivory faille. The skirt is lined in the ivory silk satin. There are no labels.
    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
    2007.3.31
    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-Historical
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture

  • Miniature dress inspired by First Lady Garfield made by Ann Lowe

    Created by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    silk satin, lace, silk faille, synthetic fiber, and metal fasteners
    Dimensions
    H x W (flat): 55 × 37 1/2 in. (139.7 × 95.3 cm)
    Type
    dresses
    Date
    late 1960s - early 1970s
    Description
    Miniature taupe satin dress inspired by First Lady Garfield made by Ann Lowe. The dress has a fitted bodice with a standard collar and a faux-button front that has a keyhole above the center bust. The dress is made from taupe silk satin with cream floral lace detailing. The bodice has pre-tied taupe satin bows sewn at the center front neck, below the center of the keyhole, at the center front waist, and at each outer cuff. The keyhole is filled in with the cream floral lace and metallic floral lace is used to embellish the standard collar. Cream lace also trims the sleeve cuffs, which end with deep cut-out detailing at the hemline of the satin similar to petals. Seven (7) self-fabric covered buttons are sewn down the center front of the bodice for decoration. The skirt is full-length with a back train and a peplum. It is also made from the taupe satin. Three (3) ruffled flounces of the cream floral lace are sewn down the center front of the skirt with two (2) additional flounces trimming the front side edges of the peplum. A strip of the satin with a pre-tied bow in the middle is sewn along the top edge of each skirt flounce. A self-fabric strip pleated into ruffles is sewn along the bottom of the skirt across the back where it trains on the floor. At each front side of the bottom skirt there are two (2) deep cut-outs similar to petals like on the bottom of the sleeves. Behind them and continuing across the back is a pleated ruffle of the satin that is sewn on the underside of the skirt. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) hook-and-eye.
    The interior bodice is lined in pink silk faille with interior shoulder straps also made from the pink faille. There is an attached interior under skirt made from the pink faille that extends nearly to the hemline of the center front portion of the skirt. The skirt and the peplum are lined in cream synthetic fabric that is light weight but slightly stiff. There are no labels.
    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
    2007.3.32
    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-Historical
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture

  • Pink dress and train made by Millicent Taylor from a sketch by Ann Lowe

    Created by
    Taylor, Millicent, American, 1911 - 1995
    Designed by
    Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
    Subject of
    Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
    Medium
    a: synthetic satin, tulle, synthetic faille, plastic buckram, and metal fasteners
    b: synthetic satin, tulle, synthetic faille, and metal hook
    Dimensions
    H x W (a flat): 53 1/2 × 70 1/2 in. (135.9 × 179.1 cm)
    H x W (b flat): 81 1/2 × 47 1/2 in. (207 × 120.7 cm)
    Type
    trains (costume components)
    evening dresses
    Date
    mid 20th-late 20th century
    Description
    Pink evening dress (a) and train (b) made by Millicent Taylor from a sketch by Ann Lowe. The dress is made from bubblegum pink satin. It has a fitted off-shoulder bodice with a short standing neck and cap sleeves. The dress is fitted to the natural waist with a floor-length full circle skirt. Two (2) bands of pink tulle are sewn across the skirt with faux roses tacked to them at intervals creating a swag look. The flowers are made from pink satin and have metallic green synthetic fabric leaves. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and three (3) hook-and-eyes. There is one (1) larger metal loop sewn above the zipper for attaching the train (b).
    The interior of the bodice is lined in pale peach synthetic faille and boning is sewn around the bodice. There is an attached petticoat made from the peach faille. Three (3) bands of cream plastic buckram are sewn around the exterior of the petticoat near the hem. The buckram also trims the inner hem of the skirt. White plastic buckram is gathered and pleated in bunches at each side waist to create pannier. Hanger loops made from white synthetic fabric are attached at each interior side waist. There are no labels.
    The train (b) is made from the same synthetic satin and is teardrop shaped with the point at the center back neck. The edges are trimmed in two rows of the pink tulle in a similar swag look to the skirt of the dress, with twelve (12) of the faux roses with leaves sewn around the swag at even intervals. The train is lined in the pale peach synthetic faille. There is one (1) large metal hook at the interior center top point for attaching the train to the back neck of the dress (a).
    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
    2007.3.33ab
    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