Created by
Lowe, Ann, American, 1898 - 1981
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1957-1967
Medium
silk charmeuse, silk charmeuse damask, silk, synthetic fiber, metal, and metal thread
Dimensions
H x W (flat): 44 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (113 × 24.1 cm)
Waist: 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Caption
This miniature dress is part of the Evyan Collection of First Lady Inaugural Gowns. Starting in 1957, for the launch of their Great Lady perfume, the Evyan perfume house commissioned several designers, including Ann Lowe, to replicate 29 inaugural gowns of the American First Ladies in miniature form. Lowe created six sets of inaugural gowns based on the originals, which are on exhibit in the First Ladies’ Hall at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Description
A miniature copy of First Lady Truman's evening gown by Ann Lowe. The a-line silhouette dress has a V neckline, long sleeves, and a full-length skirt. The bodice is made of mauve silk charmeuse and has a center front seam and one dart bust on each side below the armscye. The skirt is constructed of mauve silk charmeuse floral damask. The skirt has a total of eight gores that are narrow at the waistline and widen at the hemline. Dark gold flower appliques are machine stitched to dress skirt and bodice. The silk embroidered appliques have gold metallic thread embroidery on the petals towards the center of the flower. Portions of the same floral damask that is used to construct the dress’s skirt are placed underneath the appliqued gold flowers on the bodice and along the neckline. The dress opens in the center back with a metal zipper. Two darts are sewn to the back of each sleeve along the inner seam. Appliqued pieces of the silk charmeuse floral damask are stitched to the back of the bodice ending at the waistline. The back of the skirt is longer than the front which leads into a small train. The bodice is lined with cream silk that is hand-stitched to the bodice interior along neckline, and machine stitched in all other areas. The skirt lining is constructed of cream synthetic that also has eight gores. It is entirely machine sewn. The dress has no labels.
Cataloging Notes
This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place collected
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
dresses
Topic
Black Enterprise
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Fashion design
Politics
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
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cfeae925-7859-475b-afaf-ac4bb0ae963c

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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