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 - Fashion and Historical
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
2007.3.32
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5dc11a5bf-19c6-4923-91a1-a81731ab6781

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