Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007 Search this
Medium:
synthetic satin and crepe with metal closures
Dimensions:
H x W x D (on form): 43 1/2 × 15 × 15 in. (110.5 × 38.1 × 38.1 cm)
Type:
dresses
Place used:
New York City, Manhattan County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1976-1978
Description:
Sleeveless dress costume for the character Lady in Orange from the original Broadway production of Ntozake Shange's choreopoem "for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf." The dress is made from orange satin synthetic fabric with the crepe finished wrong side facing. The bodice has a sweetheart neckline, scooped back, and front shaping with princess darts, ending at the natural waistline. The neckline and armholes are edged with the orange fabric, with the shiny satin side facing. There is a length of self-fabric piping around the waist, again with the shiny satin side facing. The full circle skirt falls at the knee and is hemmed with serged stitching in orange thread. The dress closes at the center back with a metal zipper, with two (2) metal hook-and-eye fasteners, one at the top of the back and the second at the waist. There is a length of cream grosgrain ribbon sewn to the interior proper left waist with a large metal eye on the end, which closes with a large metal hook sewn to the interior proper right waist just inside the zipper. The bodice is lined with orange synthetic satin, while the skirt is not lined. There are six (6) male metal snaps, three at each armhole interior; there is no evidence of the corresponding female sides of these snaps.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
