Turquoise dress with beaded bodice and ribbon waistband

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 turquoise dress with a beaded bodice and ribbon waistband. The front of the bodice is made from one panel of turquoise synthetic knit gauze which has two bust darts. Clear glass seed beads and rhinestones are hand stitched to the front surface of the bodice, creating denser areas around the armholes and waistband. The rhinestones are arranged in singles or groups of four to six to create flowers. A single panel of silver/lavender silk satin fabric is machine stitched to the waistband and ends in a bow at the front. The skirt is made a from a single panel of turquoise synthetic silk chiffon fabric that is seamed together at the center back. It features a 2” hem that is turned under with the plain weave ribbon handstitched to the inner lining. The back of the bust is made from two panel pieces that are separated by a 13” metal zipper with metal teeth.

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