Object Details
Designed by
William Travilla, American, 1920 - 1990
Worn by
Diahann Carroll, American, 1935 - 2019
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
Dress worn by Diahann Carroll as the character Julia Baker on the television show "Julia." The pink and cream dress is a full-length, long-sleeved gown with a high neck. A sleeveless bodice and full skirt made from pink taffeta is overlaid with a double layer of pale cream chiffon, with the chiffon covering the entire skirt and forming the upper bodice and sleeves. Large floral sprays are machine embroidered in cream thread on the chiffon. The hem of the skirt, the cuffs of the sleeves, and the neck are edged with cream lace in an openwork design. The dress closes with a zipper at the center back. The cuffs and the neck fasten with metal hook-and-eye closures, two (2) at each cuff and three (3) at the center back neck. There is a pale pink satin belt with a self fabric-covered decorative buckle at the high waistline that closes with three (3) metal snaps and three (3) metal hook-and-eyes.
The pink lower bodice and skirt of the dress are self-lined, with an additional paler pink petticoat attached under the lining of the skirt. The upper bodice is lined with a brown net, giving a darker hue to this section of the gown under the chiffon overlay. The sleeves are not lined.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Date
1968-1971
Object number
2007.3.38
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
dresses
Medium
taffeta, chiffon, rayon thread, lace, and metal closures
Dimensions
H x W x D (Dress on form): 61 × 26 1/4 × 17 in. (154.9 × 66.7 × 43.2 cm)
Place used
United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Exhibition
Taking the Stage
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Costume
Costume design
Design
Sitcoms
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.38