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- object-type: "Dresses (garments)"
Your search found 88 result(s).
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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
- Date
- late 1960s - early 1970s
- 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)
- 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.
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Historical
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
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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
- Date
- late 1960s - early 1970s
- 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)
- 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.
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Historical
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
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Costume worn by Maxine Jones in "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" video
- Designed by
- Flynn, Danny
- Manufactured by
- Frederick's of Hollywood, founded 1947
- Anne Klein, founded 1968
- Worn by
- Jones, Maxine, American, born 1962
- Subject of
- En Vogue, American, founded 1989
- Date
- 1992
- Medium
- Dress: synthetic fiber and spandex
- Bra: Polyester fiber, nylon, spandex, and metal (underwire)
- Gloves: nylon and spandex
- Shoes: crepe, leather, rubber, and metal
- Dimensions
- H x W (.1, dress, flat): 48 1/2 × 12 1/4 in. (123.2 × 31.1 cm)
- H x W x D (.1, dress, on form): 52 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (132.1 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm)
- H x W (,2, bra, flat): 10 3/4 × 11 1/4 in. (27.3 × 28.6 cm)
- H x W x D (.2, bra, on form): 9 3/4 × 10 1/4 × 9 in. (24.8 × 26 × 22.9 cm)
- H x W (.3a, glove (left)): 19 1/2 × 4 1/4 in. (49.5 × 10.8 cm)
- H x W (.3b, glove (right)): 19 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (49.5 × 11.4 cm)
- H x W x D (.4a, shoe (left)): 5 1/4 × 3 × 9 1/2 in. (13.3 × 7.6 × 24.1 cm)
- H x W x D (.4b, shoe (right)): 5 1/4 × 3 × 9 1/2 in. (13.3 × 7.6 × 24.1 cm)
- Description
- A costume worn by Maxine Jones of En Vogue for the music video "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (1992) comprised of a red dress (.1), a bra (.2), a pair of elbow-length black gloves (.3), and a pair of black stiletto heels (.4ab).
- Dress (.1): A red halter neck sleeveless dress with an ankle-length skirt. The dress is made from a red stretch knit sewn with the dull side of the fabric facing. The front of the bodice scoops below the bust. There is a sixteen (16) inch slit along the proper right side of the skirt, with the edges of the slit rounded at the hem. The letter "M" is handwritten in black ink on the inside front bodice. The dress is not lined.
- Bra (.2): A red push-up bra with a plunging neckline between the cups, red sheer wings, and adjustable back straps. The padded cups are faced with red satin. Each cup has an insert for additional padding, but the padding has been removed. There is a white manufacturer's label with printed text sewn to the interior bottom seam of the proper left wing that reads, "frederick's / of Hollywood / FIBER & CARE ON BACK / [horizontal] 5796 34C", with the letter "M" handwritten in black ink horizontally over the fiber content and care instructions on the back.
- Gloves (.3ab): A pair of black elbow-length stretch gloves, both alike. The gloves are seamed along the exterior side and around the fingers, with a separate thumb attached to the gusset. The letter "M" is handwritten in white ink or paint on the interior of each glove near the opening.
- Shoes (.4ab): A pair of black pointed close-toed high heels with an ankle strap closure. The toe box, the ankle strap, and the heel all are faced in black synthetic crepe fabric. The straps attach just behind the toe box and just in front of the heel on the interior and exterior sides, extending up to form a v shape at the side of the foot and to connect with a single strap over the bridge of the foot. There is an additional strap that reaches from the point of the v around the back of the ankle, with a gold buckle that fastens at the exterior side of the ankle. The soles of the shoes are made of brown leather. The heels have a flat heel breast that tapers at the back so that the back edge of the heel is pointed. The heels are tipped with black rubber. The interior of the toe box, the straps, and the insole are made of a gold metallic imitation leather. On the insole near the heel of both shoes is a black label with gold stitching reading "ANNE KLEIN COUTURE". The letter "M" is handwritten in black ink on the insole heel of both shoes. On the underside of both shoes at the shank is engraved text reading “LEATHER / CUIR / LEDER / CUOIO / MADE IN ITALY / M / 7 1/2".
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- brassieres
- gloves
- pumps (shoes)
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Popular music
- Singers (Musicians)
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue
- Object number
- 2014.189.1.1-.4ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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Navy and white crepe evening dress worn by Ophelia DeVore
- Designed by
- Parnis, Mollie, American, 1905 - 1992
- Worn by
- DeVore, Ophelia, American, 1922 - 2014
- Date
- 1970
- Medium
- silk crepe, silk, elastic, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W: 58 x 32 in. (147.3 x 81.3 cm)
- Description
- Navy and white silk crepe evening dress worn by Ophelia DeVore. The dress has a V-neck front with a high back neckline, full-length sleeves, and a full floor-length skirt gathered at the natural waistline. It is made from navy silk crepe with white silk crepe trimming the neckline and forming the waistband. The sleeves are fitted around the cuff with elastic, creating a blousy balloon-like silhouette. There is a knee-high slit at the center front skirt. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) metal hook-and-eye.
- The dress is lined in navy blue silk except the sleeves, which are not lined. A silver fabric label with black embroidered text is sewn at the interior proper left back neck that reads "Mollie Parnis Boutique / NEW YORK".
- Place used
- Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ophelia DeVore
- Object number
- 2011.25.6.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
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
- Date
- 1966-1967; altered 1973
- Medium
- silk satin, chiffon, synthetic fiber, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 55 × 30 in. (139.7 × 76.2 cm)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
-
Dress designed by Ann Lowe
- Designed by
- Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- mid-1950s
- Medium
- silk taffeta, silk faille, buckram, elastic, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 55 1/2 × 42 in. (141 × 106.7 cm)
- 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".
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
-
Light pink dress worn by Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in The Color Purple
- Designed by
- Rodgers, Aggie Guerard, American, born 1943
- Manufactured by
- Palace Costume Company, American, founded 1990
- Worn by
- Goldberg, Whoopi, American, born 1955
- Subject of
- Walker, Alice, American, born 1944
- Date
- 1985
- Medium
- cotton with mother of pearl buttons and metal closures
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 50 3/4 × 19 1/4 × 15 in. (128.9 × 48.9 × 38.1 cm)
- Description
- Light pink dress worn by Whoopi Goldberg as the character Celie Harris Johnson in the film "The Color Purple." The ankle-length dress with three-quarter length tapered sleeves, gathered waist, and full skirt is made from a pale pink cotton with details in a pink, white, and gray woven striped check. The spread collar with a long square back, the cuffs of the sleeves, the waist band, the two (2) patch pockets on each front side hip of the skirt, and a center panel on the front skirt are all made of the striped check fabric. The collar is trimmed with cream floral lace with a scalloped edge. The dress closes down the center front with two (2) small round mother of pearl buttons with a star design and one (1) metal hook-and-eye fastener at the neck, and at the front waistband with one (1) metal hook-and-eye fastener, two (2) medium round mother of pearl buttons, and four (4) metal snaps. A slit is left open below the waistband closure on the proper left side of the skirt. The dress is not lined. Two labels are sewn at the interior center back neck; the bottom is a white cloth label with illegible black handwritten text above brown printed text reading "Palace Costume Co."; the top label is a white cloth label with a barcode adhered to the front of it and printed text above the barcode reading "PALACE COSTUME CO." and text below the barcode reading "37005001".
- Place used
- North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- California, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Families
- Film
- Gender
- LGBTQ
- Literature
- Sexuality
- Violence
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.184.4
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
Dress worn by Cindy Herron in "Hold On" video
- Manufactured by
- Unidentified
- Worn by
- Herron, Cindy, American, born 1961
- Subject of
- En Vogue, American, founded 1989
- Date
- 1990
- Medium
- synthetic fiber
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 35 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (90.2 × 39.4 cm)
- H x W x D (on form): 39 × 18 × 12 1/2 in. (99.1 × 45.7 × 31.8 cm)
- Description
- Dress worn as part of a costume by Cindy Herron of En Vogue for the music video "Hold On" (1990). The black sheath minidress has three-quarter length sleeves and an off-the-shoulder neckline. The knit stretch synthetic fabric has a structural detail of tight gathers, making a three-dimensional fabric. Looped black fringe is attached in seven (7) tiers down the front of the dress, with an eighth tier above the arms extending around the neckline so that the fringe drapes over the top of the wearer's arms. There is evidence of a white manufacturer's tag that has been cut from the center back interior neck. The dress is not lined.
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Popular music
- Singers (Musicians)
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue
- Object number
- 2014.189.6
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
Red and yellow dress worn by Janet Jackson as Penny Woods on Good Times
- Designed by
- Riggs, Rita, American, born 1930
- Manufactured by
- Sears, Roebuck & Co., American, founded 1893
- Worn by
- Janet Jackson, American, born 1966
- Date
- December 1977
- Medium
- cotton, trimming, elastic, metal zipper, and plastic buttons
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 31 1/2 × 19 1/2 × 13 1/4 in. (80 × 49.5 × 33.7 cm)
- Description
- Red and yellow dress worn by Janet Jackson as the character Millicent "Penny" Gordon Woods on the television show "Good Times." The dress is made to appear as two separate pieces - a yellow long-sleeved shirt with a high ruffled collar under a red floral-printed jumper - though they are attached as one item. The sleeves are loose and gathered at the cuff with elastic. A decorative band of thin blue rickrack, red floral print cotton matching the jumper, and yellow cutwork embroidered trim with a scalloped edge is sewn around each sleeve between the elbow and the cuff. The same blue rickrack and yellow trim is sewn around the edge of the jumper sleeves on the upper bodice. There are three (3) small black plastic buttons sewn at the center front chest for decoration. The jumper is made of a red cotton printed in a small floral design of yellow and dark blue flowers with green leaves and stems. It has a smocked lower bodice and a full skirt that ends above the knee. A band of the blue rickrack and the yellow trim is sewn around the skirt approximately 7 1/2 inches above the hem. The garment closes at the center back with a red zipper and it is not lined. A white clothing tag with green printed text is sewn at the center back interior neck that reads: "REGULAR 12 / MACHINE WASH WARM / TUMBLE DRY / SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.".
- Place used
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Children
- Clothing and dress
- Comedy
- Costume
- Families
- Sitcoms
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.26.3
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
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
- Date
- 1950; altered 1951
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- shawls
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
-
Black wool gown with fur trimmed hem worn by Ophelia DeVore
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Worn by
- DeVore, Ophelia, American, 1922 - 2014
- Date
- early 1950s
- Medium
- wool knit, fur, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- L x W: 50 x 17 1/2 in. (127 x 44.5 cm)
- Description
- Black wool evening dress with a black fur trimmed hem worn by Ophelia DeVore. The dress is made from black wool knit and has a scoop neck, full-length fitted sleeves, and a full floor-length skirt that is gathered at the natural waistline. There are black thread loops sewn around the waist for attaching a belt. The bottom of the skirt is trimmed in a 5 1/2 inch band of black fur. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) metal hook into a thread loop.
- The bodice of the dress is lined in the black wool knit. The sleeves and skirt are not lined. There are no labels.
- Place used
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ophelia DeVore
- Object number
- 2011.25.1.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
Dress worn by Whoopi Goldberg and Desreta Jackson as Celie in The Color Purple
- Designed by
- Rodgers, Aggie Guerard, American, born 1943
- Manufactured by
- Palace Costume Company, American, founded 1990
- Worn by
- Goldberg, Whoopi, American, born 1955
- Jackson, Desreta, Virgin Islander, born 1975
- Subject of
- Walker, Alice, American, born 1944
- Date
- 1985
- Medium
- cotton, lace, tape, and metal buttons
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 53 1/2 × 20 × 16 1/2 in. (135.9 × 50.8 × 41.9 cm)
- Description
- Blue floral print dress worn by Whoopi Goldberg as the character Celie Harris Johnson and by Desreta Jackson as Young Celie in the film "The Color Purple." The ankle-length long-sleeved dress is made from a printed cotton with a design of pale green five-petal flowers with pink rose sprigs in the center. The flower run down a cream stripe with a styled geometric motif in brown and are spaced at even intervals that alternate horizontally. The floral stripe is on a dark blue ground with faux ikat elements in cream. The dress closes at the center front with eight (8) round metal buttons with an engraved floral design sewn in a line to a button band made of dark blue twill. There is also one (1) small black snap at the top of the button band just under the collar. The dress has a squared yoke with two wide pleats on each front side and a spread collar with a ruffled edge and a square back. Two parallel lines of brown trim with a cream diamond woven design are sewn around the collar. The same brown trim is sewn around the cuffs of both sleeves, which also end in a ruffle of the blue floral print and are edged with cream cotton with a floral spring cutwork embroidery design and a scalloped edge. The full skirt ends with a wide pleated panel, a band of thin cream woven tape near the hem, and cream embroidered scalloped lace extending below the hem.
- The back of the dress has a square yoke and a center double box pleat that is stitched down at the natural waistline so that the pleating continues below the waist. The waist has two parallel lines of stitching spaced approximately one inch apart to create a drawstring casing. A light brown fabric tie is sewn along the interior center back with the ends left loose to be tied around the wearer's waist. The dress is not lined except the yoke, which is backed in the blue floral print fabric. There are three tags at the interior center back neck, two sewn on top of each other and the third is a barcode adhered directly to the dress that reads above the barcode "PALACE COSTUME CO." and below the barcode "37008506". The bottom of the two stacked tags is a white cloth label with black handwritten text reading "D112" above brown printed text that reads "Palace Costume Co."; the top label is a white cloth label with black handwritten text reading "DESIRITA".
- Place used
- North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- California, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Families
- Film
- Gender
- LGBTQ
- Literature
- Sexuality
- Violence
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.184.3
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
White evening dress with metallic and feather accents worn by Ophelia DeVore
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Worn by
- DeVore, Ophelia, American, 1922 - 2014
- Date
- 1959
- Medium
- silk crepe, silk organdy, lace, velvet cord, feathers, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W: 56 x 37 in. (142.2 x 94 cm)
- Description
- White evening dress with metallic and feather accents worn by Ophelia DeVore. The dress is made from white silk crepe overlaid in white organdy with a silver and black metallic floral design. The dress has a V-neck front with a high back neckline, an empire waist, full-length straight sleeves, and a floor-length full skirt gathered around the back and side waist. The bodice and skirt have white silk crepe under the organdy, while the sleeve are sheer and made only from the organdy. Black and white ostrich feathers are sewn around each cuff. A black velvet cord is wrapped around the empire waistline and tied in a bow at the center front. The neckline is trimmed in black floral lace with a scalloped edge. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and one (1) hook-and-eye.
- Only the interior yoke is lined in the white silk crepe. There are no labels.
- Place used
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ophelia DeVore
- Object number
- 2011.25.2.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
White and blue dress worn by Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in The Color Purple
- Designed by
- Rodgers, Aggie Guerard, American, born 1943
- Manufactured by
- Palace Costume Company, American, founded 1990
- Worn by
- Goldberg, Whoopi, American, born 1955
- Subject of
- Walker, Alice, American, born 1944
- Date
- 1985
- Medium
- cotton with mother of pearl and plastic buttons
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 52 1/4 × 21 1/2 × 14 1/2 in. (132.7 × 54.6 × 36.8 cm)
- Description
- White cotton dress with blue trim worn by Whoopi Goldberg as the character Celie Harris Johnson in the film "The Color Purple." The white cotton is printed in black with a small repeating geometric design. The dress has elbow-length sleeves trimmed in blue cotton. The blue cotton is also sewn around the waistband, at the neck, and along the top of a patch pocket with a diagonal opening on the proper right hip of the A-line skirt. The blue band on the front of the neck crosses under the two blue side bands, with four (4) round mother of pearl buttons, one at each pointed end of the bands. The dress closes at the center back bodice with three (3) round buttons, two mother of pearl and one clear plastic. The dress is not lined. There are two labels along the interior proper left button band on the back bodice, the top label is a barcode adhered directly to the fabric with printed text above the barcode reading "PALACE COSTUME CO." and text below the barcode reading "37500868"; the bottom label is an off-white clothing tag with handwritten text in black reading "D113" above printed text reading "Palace Costume Co."
- Place used
- North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- California, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Families
- Film
- Gender
- LGBTQ
- Literature
- Sexuality
- Violence
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.184.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
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
- Date
- 1950
- Medium
- silk taffeta, silk faille, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 56 1/2 × 25 in. (143.5 × 63.5 cm)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
-
Dress designed by Ann Lowe
- Designed by
- Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- mid 20th century
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
-
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
- Date
- late 1960s - early 1970s
- Medium
- silk satin, synthetic fiber, passementerie, and metal zipper
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 44 1/2 × 12 in. (113 × 30.5 cm)
- 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.
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Historical
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- 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
-
Costume worn by Dawn Robinson in "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" video
- Designed by
- Flynn, Danny
- Manufactured by
- Frederick's of Hollywood, founded 1947
- Worn by
- Robinson, Dawn Sherrese, American, born 1965
- Subject of
- En Vogue, American, founded 1989
- Date
- 1992
- Medium
- Dress: synthetic fiber and spandex
- Bra: Polyester fiber, nylon, spandex, and metal (underwire)
- Gloves: nylon and spandex
- Dimensions
- H x W (.1, dress, flat): 51 × 13 in. (129.5 × 33 cm)
- H x W x D (.1, dress, on form): 52 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (132.1 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm)
- H x W (,2, bra, flat): 9 1/2 × 11 1/2 in. (24.1 × 29.2 cm)
- H x W x D (.2, bra, on form): 9 × 10 × 8 3/4 in. (22.9 × 25.4 × 22.2 cm)
- H x W (.3a, glove (left)): 22 × 5 1/4 in. (55.9 × 13.3 cm)
- H x W (.3b, glove (right)): 22 × 5 in. (55.9 × 12.7 cm)
- Description
- A costume worn by Dawn Robinson of En Vogue for the music video "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (1992) comprised of a red dress (.1), a bra (.2), and a pair of elbow-length black gloves (.3ab). There are no shoes included with this outfit.
- Dress (.1): A red sleeveless dress with an an ankle-length skirt. The dress is made from a red stretch knit sewn with the dull side of the fabric facing. The front of the bodice scoops below the bust. Thin double straps begin at the front sides and cross at the center back of the bodice. There is a sixteen (16) inch slit along the proper right side of the skirt, with the edges of the slit rounded at the hem. The letter "D" is handwritten in black ink on the inside back bodice. The dress is not lined.
- Bra (.2): A red push-up bra with a plunging neckline between the cups, red sheer wings, and adjustable back straps. The padded cups are faced with red satin. Each cup has an insert for additional padding, but the padding has been removed.
- Gloves (.3ab): A pair of black elbow-length stretch gloves, both alike. The gloves are seamed along the exterior side and around the fingers, with a separate thumb attached to the gusset. The letter "D" is handwritten in white ink or paint on the interior of each glove near the opening. In the left glove (a) there is a white manufacturer's tag sewn to the seam near the arm opening with fiber content, size, and place of manufacture printed on it in black ink.
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- brassieres
- gloves
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Popular music
- Singers (Musicians)
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue
- Object number
- 2014.189.4.1-.3ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
Orange dress worn by Esther Rolle as Florida Evans on Good Times
- Designed by
- Riggs, Rita, American, born 1930
- Worn by
- Rolle, Esther, American, 1920 - 1998
- Date
- 1974
- On ViewCulture/Fourth Floor, 4 054
- Exhibition
- Taking the Stage
- Medium
- polyester and rayon knit with metal buttons
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 42 3/8 × 19 1/4 × 13 1/2 in. (107.6 × 48.9 × 34.3 cm)
- Description
- Orange knit dress worn by Esther Rolle as the character Florida Evans on the television show "Good Times." The A-line dress has full-length sleeves, a notched collar, and falls just below the knee. The dress closes at the center front with five (5) round gold buttons. There is one (1) small white button under the proper left front side of the notched collar. The sleeves taper slightly at the wrist, with three (3) small round gold buttons attached to a band with a pointed tip that serve decorative purposes only. The dress is not hemmed, though there is a heavy even crease 2 1/8 inches from the raw edge. The dress is not lined. A white tag with care instructions is sewn at the center back neck, with evidence of a second manufacturer's tag on top of it now removed. A union tag is sewn at the proper left side seam near the bottom of the dress. A white tag with handwritten text reading "GT" is hand sewn to the proper right front dart seam near the waist.
- Place used
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Comedy
- Costume
- Families
- Motherhood
- Sitcoms
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.26.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
Black velvet dress with gold sequin skirt worn by Ophelia DeVore
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Worn by
- DeVore, Ophelia, American, 1922 - 2014
- Date
- 1961
- Medium
- velvet, synthetic fiber, buckram, sequins, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W: 57 x 30 in. (144.8 x 76.2 cm)
- Description
- Black velvet evening dress with gold sequin embellished skirt worn by Ophelia DeVore. The bodice is sleeveless with a scooped neck and is fitted to the natural waist, where it extends into a full floor-length skirt. The skirt is also made from the black velvet, but is embellished with an all-over gold sequin and embroidery design in a grid pattern with clusters of rounded squares of sequin and embroidery interspersed at even intervals in the grid. A black satin ribbon is wrapped around the waist and pinned at the center back. The dress closes at the center back with a zipper and two (2) hooks over fabric loops, with one hook above the zipper and one below the zipper at the waist.
- The bodice of the dress is lined in black synthetic fabric. The skirt is lined in black stiffener. There is a care label sewn at the interior center back waist with a size label next to it. There is no maker label.
- Place used
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ophelia DeVore
- Object number
- 2011.25.4.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions