Created by
Dynasty, Chinese, founded 1953
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
ca. 1960
Medium
silk synthetic damask and metal
Dimensions
Length (shoulder to hem): 44 1/2 in. (113 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm)
Waist (flat): 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Description
A red floral silk synthetic damask sleeveless qipao. The qipao has a Mandarin style band collar that has a slit at the center front. The front of the dress has a yoke with the front dress panel sewn below. Princess seams are sewn to the front of the dress and three darts are sewn below the waist extending diagonally on each side of the dress. The edges of the collar and front dress panel below the yoke have piped seams. A fourteen-inch metal zipper is set into the proper left side seam. Decorative frogs are sewn above a three-inch slit placed along each side seam. The self-fabric frogs have a knot at the center and swirl on each side. The dress ends below the knee and is fitted throughout. Three metal hooks and eyes are sewn to the back of the collar. A six-and-a-half-inch metal zipper is sewn below the collar. A curved dart is sewn to each side of the back of the dress starting at the shoulder seams. At the midpoint of each dart, a shorter dart is sewn which extends to hip level, forming an inverted Y shape. The dress is unlined and mostly machine sewn. The collar is hand sewn; hand stitching is used to secure some of the raw edges of the interior seams. Self-fabric bias tape is sewn to the interior of the armscyes. The selvage end is used on the proper right side seam. The hem is folded inwards, and hand whip stitched. A woven fabric label is sewn to the proper left side of the center back zipper. The label reads [DYNASTAY / TRADE MARK / MADE IN HONG KONG / BRITISH CROWN COLONY]. An additional size tag is sewn below which has the number [12].
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
Topic
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2007.3.685
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd581f19cb1-3497-40b2-b58e-fccc9abcf035

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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