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Dress designed by Tracy Reese and worn by the First Lady in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Object Details

Description
A black dress with red poppy print and beaded details designed by Tracy Reese and worn by First Lady Michelle Obama on August 28, 2013. The sleeveless dress has a high rounded neckline in the front and a v-neckline in the back, with an A-line knee-length skirt. The fabric is a silk-rayon blend with a woven design of small raised assymetrical shapes. Large red poppy flowers are printed all over the black ground. Some of the flower centers have three-dimensional centers with clusters of short red bugle beads capped with a red seed bead interspersed with long black bugle beads capped with a black seed bead. The dress closes at the center back bodice with a black zipper that ends below the waist. There is a single black hook-and-eye closure at the top of the zipper.
The interior of the bodice is lined with a black stretch net. The skirt is lined with black synthetic fabric. Between the skirt lining and facing is an attached black organdy petticoat. The designer label has been cut from the proper left back bodice of the dress. An additional manufacturer's label has been cut from the proper left side seam of the skirt lining near the hem.
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Designed by
Tracy Reese, American, born 1964
Worn by
First Lady Michelle Obama, American, born 1964
Date
2013
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Medium
silk and rayon blend with glass and plastic beads, and plastic zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (On Form): 40 1/4 × 22 1/2 × 14 in. (102.2 × 57.2 × 35.6 cm)
Type
dresses

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