- Designed by
- Norris, Patricia, American, 1931 - 2015
- Worn by
- Nyong'o, Lupita Amondi, Mexican Kenyan, born 1983
- Created by
- Western Costume Company, American, founded 1912
- Subject of
- Northup, Solomon, American, 1808 - 1875
- Date
- 2013
- Medium
- cloth, thread, metal, plastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (on form): 55 × 19 × 14 in. (139.7 × 48.3 × 35.6 cm)
- Description
- Lupita Nyong'o wears this dress as the character Patsey in the film 12 Years a Slave. The dress is designed and weathered to resemble an early 19th century Regency era gown that survived until the 1840s setting of the film.The dress is a faded blush pink color with short sleeves and an empire waist. There is pleated detail at the front waistline. The bottom of the dress has a hidden hem which follows the frayed bottom edge and prevents additional tears. The back fastens closed with three buttons and four sets of hook-and-eye fasteners. The buttons are off-white and have circular detailing. The sleeves are puffed with interior snaps and tabs of fabric used to secure undergarments. Inside the proper left side of the back shoulder is a barcode [Western Costume/40982797]. There is an additional barcode on the proper right hip inside the dress that is struck through in red ink [Western Costume/40445971].
- Classification
- Clothing - Costume
- Type
- dresses
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Costume design
- Design
- Film
- Hollywood (Film)
- Slavery
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Western Costume Company
- Object number
- 2015.158.1.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




