Pink and green floral broacade heels worn by Pearl Bailey

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A pair of pink and green floral brocade pumps worn by Pearl Bailey. The pumps feature pointed toe boxes and narrow heels. Two panels of pink and green floral brocade cover the entirety of the outside of the shoe and are machine sewn together. The brocade fabric depicts dark pink and beige hydrangeas with green leaves. At the back of the heel (the counter) is a vertical dart and light pink leather lines the front half of the shoe, while the suede side of the leather lines the back half. A panel of floral brocade fabric is used for the inner sole, which is adhered to a stiffened layer. The outsole is made from a panel of brown leather that is both adhered into place and nailed at the underside tip of the toe. A leather heel cap is nailed to the tip of each heel. Attached to the toe box is a 2.

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