Brocade evening dress belonging to Etta Moten Barnett

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.

This is a brocade evening gown worn by Etta Moten Barnett. It is a long sleeveless gown with a high round neckline. It is slightly A-line with a knee high slit up the proper left side. The brocade pattern has a black background with large gold leaves. There are smaller silver and white leaves around them. Sewn on crystals are scattered throughout the dress. There is a black fabric tag sewn into the interior seam with white text that reads “STANLEY KORSHAK / CHICAGO.” There is a second, smaller white tag sewn into the interior seam with blue text that reads “865947 / INT. LADIES GARMENT / WORKERS UNION / UNION MADE / ILGWU / AFL / CIO.” This latter text is within a blue circle.

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