Designed by
Leonard, Henry, American
Worn by
Dr. Cole, Johnnetta Betsch, American, born 1936
Date
2008
Medium
synthetic fiber, cotton, synthetic and cotton blend cloth, piping, beads, and cord
Dimensions
H x W (flat): 29 3/4 × 20 in. (75.6 × 50.8 cm)
Description
A v-neck patchwork tunic designed by Henry Leonard and worn by Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole. The front of the tunic is made from a variety of rectangular strips of upholstery weight fabrics in multiple colors. Both of the front yokes are made from a rainbow-colored Madras style plaid. The full-length bell sleeves are made from a rainbow-colored printed cotton canvas with geometric shapes on top of stripes. The back of the tunic is faced in an upholstery weight fabric of meandering leafy vines in white on a red ground. The neck opening, sleeve seams, and cuffs are all trimmed with multiple pieces of piping in a variety of colors and fabrics, with the neck opening having a panel of piping that is 3 1/2 inches at its widest. Beads in a variety of materials, colors, and shapes, are stranded on black cord and attached at the center front, with the strands getting progressively shorter from the center out. The front of the tunic is lined with a cream, blue, green, and purple abstract printed glazed cotton. The sleeves are not lined, except with the Madras style plaid around the interior of the cuff. The back is not lined, except at the neck with a panel of rust cotton with a white and black animal print design.
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
tunics
Topic
African diaspora
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion
Fashion design
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Object number
2015.209.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5681e5582-73fe-4f9e-bdd1-059929b31c7c

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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