Explore Black History

ca. 2022

Karine Jean-Pierre official became the 35th White House press secretary on May 13, 2022 after serving as the White House principal deputy press secretary from January 20, 2021. She was the first Black woman to hold a White House press briefing since Judy Smith in 1991 and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to ever hold a briefing in the White House. Similarly, she is the first Black person and openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the position of White House press secretary. She wore this dress on May 16, 2022 for her first briefing as White House press secretary in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House.

A red pleated dress worn by Karine Jean-Pierre. The dress has a V neckline and short handkerchief sleeves that are pleated at the top of the shoulders. Small pleats are sewn on each side of the neckline above and below the bustline. The dress is made of a blend of woven viscose and elastane with the exception of the sleeves and pleated bust panels which are made of knit viscose and elastane. A seam is sewn below each set of pleating under the bustline. The seams curve slightly outwards at the waist, ending at the hemline. Another seam is sewn starting at the waistline along each side seam, curving inwards and ending at the hemline. The back of the dress has a center back seam, a twenty-one-and-a-half-inch zipper with a metal pull and plastic teeth is sewn along the center back. A curved seam starting from the top of the shoulder is sewn on each side of the center back zipper and ends at the center back. A set of princess seams are sewn on the back which end at the waistline. A seam starting from each side seam at waist level curves inwards and aligns with each princess seam continuing to the hem. A ten-inch vent is sewn at the bottom of the center back seam. The dress is lined in red knit polyester. The hem of the exterior fabric and lining have a single fold and are sewn together. The dress is machine sewn. A looped black synthetic grosgrain ribbon is sewn at the bottom of each armscye along the self-facing. The ribbon is printed with the text [KAREN MILLEN] in white. A label is sewn to the proper left side of the center back zipper which reads [KAREN MILLEN]. To the right in smaller text the label reads [UK 8 / US 4 / EU 36 / MADE IN LITHUANIA]. A manufacturing label is sewn at the interior along the proper left side seam which includes the fiber content and care information.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Karine Jean-Pierre

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2025.31.3

dresses

No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

viscose, elastane, polyester, metal, and plastic

Length (shoulder to hem): 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
Waist (flat): 12 in. (30.5 cm)

Object Name • Red pleated dress worn by Karine Jean-Pierre as White House press secretary

nmaahc_2025.31.3

NMAAHC

RED PLEATED DRESS WORN BY KARINE JEAN-PIERRE AS WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

2020s • 2010s

The White House • Jean-Pierre, Karine • Karen Millen

District of Columbia • United States • North and Central America • Washington

LGBTQ • Government • Clothing and dress • Fashion • Journalism • Politics • U.S. History, 2001- • Communication

City • Washington • State • District of Columbia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

No Known Copyright Restrictions