Created by
Bill Washington, American
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
1980s
Medium
Synthetic organza, machine lace, synthetic plan weave satin, starched net plastic, plain weave lining, metal, velcro, and adhesive
Dimensions
Length (Shoulder to hem): 57 1/2 in (146.1 cm)
Width: (Waist) 47 in.(119.4 cm)
Description
A white wedding dress with a beaded lace bodice. The dress has a white band collar with white machine lace trim. Beaded fringe made from white plastic round and teardrop beads hangs from the band collar. The front bodice is composed of one panel of white floral machine lace. Plastic rhinestone and white sequined ornaments are handstitched to various places throughout the bodice. White organza ruffles are sewn into the seam between the bodice and puff sleeves. Each sleeve is made from one panel of white machine lace fabric. There is machine lace band around the waist between the bodice and the iridescent organza skirt. The outer skirt is made from one panel and the hem is stitched selvedge. The back of the lace collar features a metal hook and eye closure and a velcro closure. The back bodice is composed of two panels of white machine lace. A white plastic YKK zipper has been sewn into the center back seam. The zipper begins at the collar and ends in the skirt has been partially machine stitched and partially handstitched into place. A large, white organza bow is hand stitched to the center back of the bodice. There is a sequin beaded ornament stitched to the loop of the bow. The dress is lined a white synthetic plain weave material. There is a white label attached to the interior of the bodice on the proper right side that reads reads [Bill Washington; Designer; Washington, DC] in black text. The interior bodice is composed of three panels; the front is one piece and the back is two pieces joined by a zipper in the center seam. Both the out and interior skirt is hand gathered together with black thread and machine stitched to the bodice. The inner layer of the skirt is made from three panels.
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.
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
dresses
wedding dresses
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
2007.3.601
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5729df425-4db2-452f-8334-16be2eae3230

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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