Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Black lace and rust satin cocktail dress worn by Billie Holiday

African American Museum

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

    Object Details

    Manufactured by

    Andora, American

    Worn by

    Billie Holiday, American, 1915 - 1959

    Description

    A black lace and rust satin cocktail dress worn by Billie Holiday. The black lace is overlay covers the rust-colored satin completely. The satin portion of the dress has a strapless bodice that is fitted through the waist and flares out into a full skirt. It is sleeveless. The black lace overlay has an all-over floral pattern. The lace portion of the bodice has a slightly open front neck and high back neck with lace carefully cut along the floral design so that the neck opening is edged in flowers. The lace is also used for three-quarter length sleeves with a slightly gathered shoulder. The bottoms of the sleeves are also cut into the floral lace pattern to create a flower edging. The higher front neck and back and the sleeves are sheer, extending beyond the rust satin underlay. The lace on the front bodice has three deep pleats on either side of the center bust with a triangular shaped piece between the bust and the waist seam. The lace flares out into a full skirt below the waist. The dress closes at the proper left with a metal zipper that runs from the underarm to below the hip. The back bodice has two darts on each side running from the shoulder to the waist seam. A layer of tulle is sewn between the lace and the satin from the hip to the hemline to create fullness in the skirt. Sewn into the interior near the zipper is an off-white label with black text reading [STYLED by / ANDORA / NEW YORK].

    Credit Line

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

    Date

    early 1950s

    Object number

    2021.59.3.1

    Restrictions & Rights

    Unknown – Restrictions Possible
    Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    dresses

    Medium

    lace, tulle, and satin synthetic fiber, metal

    Dimensions

    L x W: 49 3/16 × 50 3/8 in. (125 × 128 cm)
    Chest: 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)
    Waist: 14 15/16 in. (38 cm)

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Clothing - Fashion and Historical

    Exhibition

    Musical Crossroads

    On View

    NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Blues (Music)
    Clothing and dress
    Fashion
    Jazz (Music)
    Music
    Musicians
    Rhythm and blues (Music)
    Singers (Musicians)

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd506d01e27-62bd-4f8c-a815-4b95035b6bca

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2021.59.3.1

    Discover More

    Lavender heeled boots with the symbol for the artist known as Prince

    Music and Fashion: Culture in Conversation

    Portrait of Billie Holiday

    Lady Day: Billie Holiday

    Becky Sharp's gown from the play Hamilton.

    Best Dressed: Fashion Trends and Famous Wearers

    arrow-up Back to top
    Home
    • Facebook facebook
    • Instagram instagram
    • LinkedIn linkedin
    • YouTube youtube

    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Shop Online
    • Job Opportunities
    • Equal Opportunity
    • Inspector General
    • Records Requests
    • Accessibility
    • Host Your Event
    • Press Room
    • Privacy
    • Terms of Use