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CC0
Culottes designed by Arthur McGee
- Designed by
- Arthur McGee, American, 1933 - 2019
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- mid 20th-late 20th century
- On ViewCulture/Fourth Floor, 4 050
- Exhibition
- Cultural Expressions
- Medium
- wool with metal zipper and plastic button
- Dimensions
- L x W: 32 1/2 × 64 in. (82.6 × 162.6 cm)
- H x W x D (on form): 29 3/4 × 24 × 21 1/2 in. (75.6 × 61 × 54.6 cm)
- Description
- Culottes designed by Arthur McGee, also referred to as a split skirt, palazzo pant, or midi pants. The pants are a 4-panel design made from a multiweave brown and blue plaid wool fabric. The pant legs are very wide, forming a full half-circle when laid flat. The culottes have two (2) pockets, one at each hip, lined with a gray fabric. The culottes fasten with a brown metal zipper at center back and one (1) plastic tortoiseshell button fastener at the center waistband. The culottes are unlined, and are machine-sewn.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- trousers
- Topic
- 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
- 2007.3.51
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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CC0
Dress sewn by Rosa Parks
- Created by
- Rosa Parks, American, 1913 - 2005
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1955 - 1956
- On ViewConcourse 2, C 2053
- Medium
- synthetic fiber and metal
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 47 1/2 × 16 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (120.7 × 42.5 × 3.2 cm)
- Chest: 40 in. (101.6 cm)
- Waist: 28 1/4 in. (71.8 cm)
- Hem circumference: 78 in. (198.1 cm)
- Belt: 2 3/4 × 33 1/4 × 3/8 in. (7 × 84.5 × 1 cm)
- Description
- This dress (a) is a wrap style made from a plain weave viscose fabric with a printed design of dark brown and yellow flowers and leaves. The wrap effect is achieved by crossing the front bodice at the waist seam and gathered fabric on the proper left side of the waist. The skirt is flaired with six (6) gores and three pleats in the skirt at the center front add further to the wrap effect. The set-in full length sleeves are gathered at a 1 1/4" cuff that closes with two metal snaps. The dress has a small shawl collar and a v-neck. The dress closes at the proper left side waist with a zipper. It is unlined, and the seams are pressed open with raw edges exposed. It is machine-sewn except for the hem, which is turned up 2 inches and hand stitched. There are two belt loops made of a thin yellow braid, one at each side seam, which hold the accompanying belt (b) in place.
- The belt (b) is made from the same fashion fabric as the dress, with a plain weave beige fabric backing. The front and back of the belt are machine stitched around the edge, and a layer of interfacing beteen them provides some stiffening. The belt has an oval-shaped metal single-prong buckle covered in the dark brown and yellow floral fabric, and five (5) white grommets on the opposite end of the belt for an adjustable closure.
- Place made
- Montgomery, Alabama, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Historical
- Movement
- Civil Rights Movement
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- American South
- Civil rights
- Clothing and dress
- Resistance
- Segregation
- U.S. History, 1953-1961
- Urban life
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
- Object number
- 2007.3.1ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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CC0
Evening coat from the collection of Lucy Louvenia Cordice
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Owned by
- Cordice, Lucy Louvenia, American, 1915 - 1995
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1870-1900
- Medium
- silk velvet, silk satin, fur, and metal
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On Form): 54 × 26 × 19 1/2 in. (137.2 × 66 × 49.5 cm)
- H x W x D (In box): 52 × 22 × 6 in. (132.1 × 55.9 × 15.2 cm)
- Description
- This mid-calf length evening coat is made of a deep teal silk velvet with brown fur cuffs and a black silk satin lining. A decorative black silk cord is sewn to the exterior of the garment to form swirls, floral motifs, feather motifs, and other designs popular in the late Victorian period. The sleeves begin near the wearer's elbow, creating a cape-like silhouette from the proper front. The coat closes along the proper center front with a series of hook-and-eye closures, with the hooks and the eyes alternating along the proper left and proper right sides of the opening. The proper back is shaped to accommodate a large bustle. The band collar also contains applied braid designs, and closes at the proper front neck with two (2) hook-and-eye closures. The interior fabric is quilted in a diagonal pattern, but the quilting does not show through to the exterior of the garment. There is one set-in pocket on the proper left front of the interior. Attached at the center back of the interior are two accordion-like fabric pieces and two long black ribbons, likely used to adjust the fit at the waist line and to secure the coat to the wearer's body.
- Place used
- Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- evening coats
- 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
- 2007.3.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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Costume gown, petticoat, and jacket for Addaperle in The Wiz on Broadway
- Designed by
- Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014
- Created by
- Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961
- Worn by
- Taylor, Clarice, American, 1917 - 2011
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1975
- Medium
- Gown: synthetic fiber, satin, velvet, net, and metal
- Petticoat: synthetic fiber
- Jacket: synthetic fiber, satin, velvet, sequins, rhinestones, and metal
- Description
- This costume is comprised of three (3) pieces, a teal and blue gown, a petticoat, and a matching jacket worn by Clarice Taylor as Addaperle in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway.
- Place used
- New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- ensembles (costume)
- 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
- Restrictions & Rights
- Unknown - Restrictions Possible
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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., American, founded 1961
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1975
- 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)
- 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".
- Place used
- New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- gowns
- 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
- Unknown - Restrictions Possible
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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
- Date
- 1985-1990
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
- Object number
- 2007.3.104
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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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
- Date
- 1985-1990
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
- Object number
- 2007.3.107
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway
- Designed by
- Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014
- Created by
- Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961
- Worn by
- Bridgewater, Dee Dee, American, born 1950
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1975
- Medium
- Dress: synthetic fiber, net (textile), and chiffon
- Headdress: synthetic fiber, straw, wire, rhinestones, and metal
- Dimensions
- On form - dress with train (a) with hat (b): 92 × 50 × 28 in. (233.7 × 127 × 71.1 cm)
- Description
- This costume is comprised of two (2) pieces, a gown and an accompanying headdress, worn by Dee Dee Bridgewater as the character Glinda in the Broadway production of "The Wiz".
- Place used
- New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- ensembles (costume)
- 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
- 2007.3.11
- Restrictions & Rights
- Unknown - Restrictions Possible
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Costume jumpsuit for a Quadling in The Wiz on Broadway
- Designed by
- Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014
- Created by
- Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961
- Worn by
- Edmead, Wendy, American, born 1956
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1975
- Medium
- chiffon, crepe, muslin, passementerie, metal, and elastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (In box): 59 × 22 1/2 × 2 3/4 in. (149.9 × 57.2 × 7 cm)
- H x W x D (On form): 61 × 28 × 15 1/2 in. (154.9 × 71.1 × 39.4 cm)
- Description
- This jumpsuit is part of a costume worn by Wendy Edmead as a Quadling in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The jumpsuit is made from a diaphanous, coral-colored synthetic fabric. The bodice of the jumpsuit and its lower section attach only at the center front, leaving exposed the sides of the wearer's stomach and lower back.
- The bodice of the jumpsuit is made of a coral crepe synthetic fiber that is covered in pleated coral chiffon synthetic fiber. The full length sleeves are made of the same coral chiffon fabric, which has been ironed into an accordian pleat and cut in a flared trumpet shape. Elastic loops are attached to the wrist area of each sleeve. The bodice is lined in plain muslin, and closes at the center back with a zipper and a hook-and-eye closure at the neck.
- On the lower section of the jumpsuit, coral chiffon synthetic fiber attaches at the waist and reaches to the ankles to form wide-legged, accordian-pleated pants. There is a bikini bottom attached to the waistband. The bikini bottom is a coral crepe synthetic fiber on the recto, lined in plain muslin on the verso, and has an open crotch. This lower section of the jumpsuit closes at the center back with a zipper and a hook-and-eye closure at the waist. A length of coral tape is sewn in a loop at the interior proper left and proper right sides.
- Coral passementerie is sewn to the bottom edge of the bodice, forming an x at the center front attachment, and continuing along the top edge of the pants. Two (2) metal discs, each stamped with a head in profile and surrounded by a circle of five-pointed stars, are sewn to the top and bottom of the x and at the center front attachment. Coral tasseled fringe is sewn along the collar line of the bodice and at the hip line of the lower section of the jumpsuit, below the passementerie decoration. Stamped metal discs are sewn all along the fringe at the collar and the hip.
- Place used
- New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- jump suits
- 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
- 2007.3.12
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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Blue dressing robe owned by Tiger Haynes
- Created by
- Phillips, Eva
- Worn by
- Haynes, Tiger, American, 1914 - 1994
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1975
- Medium
- robe: cotton denim, cotton terry, cord, velvet, and sequins
- tie: cotton denim
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 59 3/4 × 28 in. (151.8 × 71.1 cm)
- Caption
- Tiger Haynes probably used this robe backstage when he played the character Tin Man in the original 1975 Broadway production of "The Wiz: The Supersoul Musical 'Wizard of Oz.'" The Wiz opened at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway on January 5, 1975.
- Description
- Blue dressing robe made by Eva Phillips and worn by Tiger Haynes. The robe is made from blue denim and fully lined in red and white striped terry cloth. It has a shawl collar and closes at the front waist with a self-fabric tie. The full-length sleeves have folded cuffs with a more fitted additional length of the striped terry cloth extending beyond the blue cuff. The bottom fourteen (14) inches of the robe can be detached via a zipper and four (4) snaps. A self-fabric belt loop is sewn at each side waist with the tie threaded through it. The tie is sewn to the robe at the center back waist. A patch pocket with a flap closure is sewn at the proper left front waist. The word "TINMAN" is sewn in red cord onto the body of the pocket. Sewn at the proper left breast is a red velvet heart outlined in red cord. At the proper left front breast is the text "Tiger" made from red cord above a square made from metallic silver rick-rack. Inside the square is the figure of the Tin Man character from the Wiz made from silver, red, and black sequins. Below the pocket on the proper left front a ladder or railroad made from yellow cord is sewn diagonally oriented. Sewn diagonally down the proper right front in red cord below the waist is the text "Ease On Down" with an oil can made from silver rick-rack below the text. There is a white fabric label with embroidered cream and red printed text sewn at the interior center back neck that reads "AN Original BY / EVA PHILLIPS". A hanger loop made from red cord is sewn at the interior center back neck.
- Place used
- New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- robes
- 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
- 2007.3.14
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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Cream fur coat similar in style to a fur coat worn in the movie Super Fly
- Designed by
- McQuay, James P., American, born 1924
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1970s
- Medium
- fur, synthetic fiber, plastic, and elastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (Flat, in box): 41 × 22 × 4 in. (104.1 × 55.9 × 10.2 cm)
- Description
- This cream-colored fur coat with a tourmaline mink collar is similar in style to a fur coat worn by the character Georgia, played by Sheila Frazier, in the movie "Super Fly." The coat is a cream fur with a wide notched lapel collar of tourmaline mink fur. The coat has a three (3) button closure and a parallel row of three (3) decorative buttons, creating a double-breasted coat silhouette. The buttons are large, made from cream pearlized plastic, and have a smooth front. The coat closes in the front using three (3) white elastic loops attached on the edge of the proper left side. The sleeves are full length and taper toward the wrist. There are two (2) exterior set-in pockets on the proper left and proper right fronts, both lined with a gray flannel fabric. On the back of the coat, there is a large center vent, and a decorative belt at the waist made from the same cream fur as the coat body. The belt is sewn into the proper left and proper right side panel seams.
- On the interior, the coat is fully lined with a synthetic satin weave fabric. The lining fabric has a silvery gray ground with a woven design of dark brown squares. There is one (1) interior set-in pocket at the upper right edge of the proper right front side, located at the seam where the lining meets the fur. It is lined with the same fabric as the coat.
- Place made
- New York City, Manhattan, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Costume
- Type
- coats
- Topic
- Blaxploitation films
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Film
- 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
- 2007.3.15
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
CC0
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
- 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.)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- 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
-
CC0
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
- Date
- 1959
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- 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
-
CC0
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
- Date
- 1958
- On ViewCulture/Fourth Floor, 4 050
- Exhibition
- Cultural Expressions
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- 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
-
CC0
Dress designed by Ann Lowe
- Designed by
- Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- ca. 1960
- 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)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- dresses
- 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
-
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
- 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
-
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
- 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
-
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
- Date
- 1966
- Medium
- silk taffeta, silk organdy, passementerie, synthetic fiber, and metal fasteners
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 53 × 34 in. (134.6 × 86.4 cm)
- 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.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- debutante dresses
- 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
-
Hat designed by Lillian Head
- Created by
- Head, Lillian, American, 1921 - 2010
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1967 - 1968
- Medium
- felt, vinyl, plastic, and elastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 12 3/4 × 12 3/4 × 5 1/4 in. (32.4 × 32.4 × 13.3 cm)
- Description
- A blue and cream hat designed to resemble the Polaris restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The hat has a round crown made of bright blue felted faux fur that is heavily machine-stitched in a grid pattern with cream thread. The hat has double rounded brims, both made of a cream felt faux fur. In between the double brims, forming a circle all the way around the hat, is a length of clear plastic. The plastic is stitched with black thread to make a grid pattern. The top edge of the plastic is tacked to the upper side of the bottom brim in two places using cream thread, but the stitching has come loose. The bottom edge of the plastic is hand-sewn to the upper side of the bottom brim using cream thread. The underside of the bottom brim has two details that provide additional structure to the hat, one rolled piece of cream felt halfway between the crown and the brim edge, and another rolled piece of cream felt at the crown. Around the interior opening of the crown, a length of blue grossgrain ribbon edged with a length of cream lace is sewn. Black elastic cord is attached to the blue ribbon on the proper right and proper left sides, and two (2) brown plastic hair combs are woven through this elastic cord.
- Place made
- Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing-Fashion
- Type
- hats
- 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
- 2007.3.3.1
- 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
- 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