Object Details
- Description
- An ivory evening gown with rhinestone detail. The dress is made from ivory colored synthetic crepe and features a deep v-neckline with decorative shoulders straps made from self-fabric. The shoulder straps cross over the center of the bust and tie like a belt in the back. Plastic rhinestones in metal settings are arranged in a square formation and handsewn to the front of the straps. The bust panel ends with a deep V-shape at the bottom and features slight pleating at the neckline. Two long, vertical bust pleats are sewn at the chest area and four vertical darts are sewn at the waist. The skirt of the dress has a slight flair and is composed of five panels – two triangular side gore panels, and one center panel of synthetic crepe, flanked by two narrow inserts. The skirt hem is rolled and handstitched in place. The back of the dress has a low back and shoulder straps that have the same rhinestone design as the front. The shoulder straps cross in the back creating a triangle shape. Three strips of synthetic crepe fabric with silver rhinestone decorations are sewn across the upper back, within the triangle shape. A cream gauze mesh panel with a v shape is sewn under the triangle back. The back of the skirt construction mirrors the front. All seams of the dress are machine stitched together and pinked. The skirt is halfway lined, down to the knees, with two panels of self-fabric – one panel for the front and one panel for the back. Both panels have darts that follow the skirt’s outer construction.
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1930s
- 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
- Medium
- plastic rhinestone, synthetic crepe, synthetc mesh, and metal
- Dimensions
- Lenght: (strap to hem): W: 57 in. (144.8 cm)
- Width: (shoulder to shoulder): 17 in. (43.2 cm)
- Bust: 36 in. (91.4 cm)
- Waist: 28 in. (71.1 cm)
- Type
- dresses
- evening dresses
