Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Red lace dress with matching cape
1980s
Smithsonian NMAAHC collection
Source catalog description
This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.
A red lace dress (a) with a matching cape (b). The main body of the dress is made from two panels of red synthetic machine bobbin lace fabric – one for the front and one for the back. The bobbin lace pattern features a repeat pattern of roses and this There is a wide neckline made of gathered lace and the center front of the dress has a long length of gathering, creating a ruched, draped effect. The full-length sleeves have a bell silhouette and are gathered and sewn into the armscye. Each sleeve hem has a 4.75” wide single fold. They are made from one panel of fabric that’s sewn to itself at the inner arm. Each side seam of the dress is also gathered and creates a ruched effect.
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Sources & collection details
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗
Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Catalog reference: 2007.3.973ab
