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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

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Designed by

    Tracy Reese, American, born 1964

    Worn by

    First Lady Michelle Obama, American, born 1964

    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.

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Date

    2013

    Object number

    2015.177

    Restrictions & Rights

    © Tracy Reese
    Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    dresses

    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)

    Place used

    National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Clothing - Fashion and Historical

    Movement

    March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Clothing and dress
    Design
    Fashion
    Fashion design
    Local and regional
    U.S. History, 2001-

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5273c7e8e-c1ea-461b-aa37-4836ae1145b2

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2015.177

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