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
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
2007.3.29
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd538a90a76-5a59-4de1-a7db-b189ab9a727b

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

Share this page