Designed by
Louis, Jean, French
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1960s
Medium
silk twill, metal, horsehair, silk taffeta, elastic cord, synthetic lining, and wood
Dimensions
(Dress) Length (Shoulder to hem): 38 in (96.5 cm)
Width: 16 in. (40.6 cm)
(Jacket) Length (Shoulder to hem): 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm)
Width: (Waist): 20 1/4 in (51.4 cm)
Description
A beige silk, A-line dress with a wide neckline (.1) and a coordinating jacket (.2) The front bust of the dress is made from three panels - one center panel with two darts, and two side panels. The side panels begin under the armhole and extend to the hip area. The front of the skirt is composed of three pieces. There is a center panel and one panel for each side. The back bodice is composed of two center back panels and a panel on each side. The center right panel overlaps over the left panel and has five buttonholes. The left panel has five metal buttons covered in beige silk fabric. The back of the skirt is made from two panels joined at the center seam. The interior of the dress is lined with beige silk taffeta. There is a lingerie guard, at each shoulder made from a corded material with a snap at the end. There are two lengths of elastic stitched to the interior lining of the bust. The corresponding snap is sewn to the lining of the shoulder. The lining is hand stitched with beige thread to the dress. The hem is two inches; it’s folded under, and hand stitched with a slip stitch. There is a stiff layer of horsehair braid between the hem of the dress and the interior lining. There is no label.
An A line swing jacket (.2) made from coordinating beige silk twill material. The jacket features a standing collar, made from one band of silk fabric. The front of the jacket is double breasted and is made from six panels of fabric - two center panels and three panels on each side. Each panel has one row of three wooden buttons that are wrapped in black, synthetic cording. Three buttonholes are on the proper right side of the jacket. There are two side pockets, one on the left and one the right near the waist area. The back of the jacket is made from four panels – two top panels and two bottom panels. The interior of the jacket is lined with eight panels of black synthetic satin - two center panels and three on each side. There is a layer or horsehair stiffener sewn between the lining and the exterior of the jacket at both the hem and the collar. A white fabric label is sewn to the inside of the jacket at the collar. The label reads [Jean Louis] in black text surrounded by red polka dots. There are lots of areas of shattering throughout the outside of the jacket.
A beige silk, A-line dress (1) with a wide neckline and a coordinating jacket (2). The front bust of the dress is made from three panels - one center panel with two darts, and two side panels. The side panels begin under the armhole and extend to the hip area. The front of the skirt is composed of three pieces. There is a center panel and one panel for each side. The back bodice is composed of two center back panels and a panel on each side. The center right panel overlaps over the left panel and has five buttonholes. The left panel has five metal buttons covered in beige silk fabric. The back of the skirt is made from two panels joined at the center seam. The interior of the dress is lined with beige silk taffeta. There is a lingerie guard, at each shoulder made from a corded material with a snap at the end. There are two lengths of elastic stitched to the interior lining of the bust. The corresponding snap is sewn to the lining of the shoulder. The lining is hand stitched with beige thread to the dress. The hem is two inches; it’s folded under, and hand stitched with a slip stitch. There is a stiff layer of horsehair braid between the hem of the dress and the interior lining. There is no label.
An A line swing jacket (2) made from coordinating beige silk twill material. The jacket features a standing collar, made from one band of silk fabric. The front of the jacket is double breasted and is made from six panels of fabric - two center panels and three panels on each side. Each panel has one row of three wooden buttons that are wrapped in black, synthetic cording. Three buttonholes are on the proper right side of the jacket. There are two side pockets, one on the left and one the right near the waist area. The back of the jacket is made from four panels – two top panels and two bottom panels. The interior of the jacket is lined with eight panels of black synthetic satin - two center panels and three on each side. There is a metal hook at the interior collar that connects to a thread loop. A layer or horsehair stiffener is sewn between the lining and the exterior of the jacket at both the hem and the collar. A white fabric label is sewn to the inside of the jacket at the collar. The label reads [Jean Louis] in black text surrounded by red polka dots. There are lots of areas of shattering throughout the outside of the jacket.
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
dresses
jackets
Topic
Clothing and dress
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
2007.3.336.1-.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd59878e539-39d3-4252-a694-5f8ed0a30017

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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