Barbara Baldwin Dowd, American
Description
An ivory dress decorated with swirls of handmade fabric rose vines, designed by Ann Lowe. The variety of rose depicted on the dress is the American Beauty, which has led to it being called the "American Beauty" dress. The bodice of the dress is sleeveless, with a scoop neck front, princess seams and a deep "v" in the back reaching to the waist. The skirt of the dress has a flat front, and the skirt gathers toward the center-back waist with box pleats to create a small bustle silhouette. Green silk vines and leaves, covered in two-toned pink rose blooms and buds, begin at each front shoulder above the bust, cover both shoulders, and run along the edges of the open back bodice to the center back. On the proper right side, one (1) small vine continues below the waist and wraps around the hip to the front of the skirt. On the proper left side, two (2) longer vines continue below the waist and wrap around to the front of the skirt, the longest ending just above the hemline and wrapping all the way around to the proper right front. The dress closes up the center back with a silver zipper that begins below the center back waist and ends above the waist. Two (2) large roses in full bloom are attached at the center back waist.The interior of the bodice is lined with ivory fabric. In the front and back of the bodice, boning is sewn at regular...
Silk, Tulle, Linen, Metal, And Elastic
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
