Object Details
Designed by
Willi Donnell Smith, American, 1948 - 1987
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
Colorful block striped jacket (a) and matching skirt (c) with short-sleeve, collared, button-down mauve-colored blouse (b) designed by Willi Smith for WilliWear Limited.
a. The long sleeve jacket has a v-neck and a notched lapel collar. There are two black plastic buttons near the waist, one on either side. There are two large patch pockets, one on either hip. The jacket is made of a colorful brushstroke ikat print fabric in block stripes of red and green, blue and grey, and purple and black. There is a visible hem around the bottoms of the sleeves.
There are two tags sewn into the back of the jacket collar on the inside. The top tag is black on the proper right half and white on the proper left half. The black side reads [WilliWear] in white. The white side reads [WilliSmith] in black. The smaller tag below reads [M / MADE IN INDIA / 100% COTTON / HAND WASH / SEPARATELY] in black.
b. The heather mauve blouse is a thin material and has a traditional two-piece high stand collar. There is a breast pocket on either side and there are five small black buttons going down the center on the proper right side. There is a visible hem going around the bottoms of the sleeves and a thin hem going around the bottom of the shirt.
There are two tags sewn into the back of the shirt collar on the inside. The top tag is black on the proper right half and white on the proper left half. The black side reads [WilliWear] in white. The white side reads [WilliSmith] in black. The smaller tag below reads [M / MADE IN INDIA / 100% COTTON / HAND WASH / SEPARATELY / IN COLD WATER] in black.
c. The pleated circle skirt is made of the same brushstroke ikat striped fabric as the jacket. There is a small black button on the back waistband of the skirt, as well as a black zipper.
There are two tags sewn into the back of the skirt waistband on the inside. The top tag is black on the proper right half and white on the proper left half. The black side reads [WilliWear] in white. The white side reads [WilliSmith] in black. The smaller tag below reads [8 / MADE IN INDIA / 100% COTTON / HAND WASH / SEPARATELY / IN COLD WATER] in black.
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
1969-1987
Object number
2007.3.154abc
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
suits
blouses
jackets
skirts
Medium
cotton and plastic thread
Dimensions
H x W (Suit Jacket): 31 3/4 × 19 in. (80.6 × 48.3 cm)
H x W (Blouse): 30 3/4 × 18 in. (78.1 × 45.7 cm)
H x W (Skirt: Width at Waist): 33 1/2 × 12 in. (85.1 × 30.5 cm)
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion design
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.154abc