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
Topic
Clothing and dress
Design
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
2007.3.20
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54f01efc1-ac3f-43ec-91c6-273016c3e386

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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