Explore Black History

1970s

An orange dress with a mermaid silhouette and rhinestone straps worn by Mable Lee. The dress was possibly worn for the 1976 Broadway production of, “Bubbling Brown Sugar”. The satin dress features a v-neckline and the upper bodice is made from two panels that encompass the bust and the front sleeve. There are two bust darts, each measuring about 2.5” and two shaping darts measuring about 3”. Each sleeve has a lose dolman style that features a cold shoulder and tightens at the wrist. A strap made from glass and metal rhinestones strung on a thin string of cotton twill tape is hand sewn to each sleeve. There is a 4.5” metal zipper at the end of each sleeve. The dress bodice starts at a center point between the two bust panels and extends down to hip level, creating a downward center point. The skirt front is composed of two panels of orange satin that start narrow at the waist and gradually start to widen towards the calf, creating a mermaid effect.
The back bodice is made from two panels – each panel covers both the upper back and corresponding sleeve. There are no back darts and an 18” metal zipper with a metal tab that says [DARA] separates the two back bodice panels. The zipper has been handsewn to a panel of orange twill tape. Like the front, the back bodice is composed of two pieces that create a center point facing downward. Two panels of orange satin also make up the back of the skirt.
Handsewn to the interior proper right back neckline is a white cotton twill label that reads [MABEL LEE] in black handwriting. The sleeves and bodice are self-lined, but the skirt is unlined. Red synthetic bias tape encases a metal chain along the back skirt panel. There is a weight at each seam line of the skirt: center front, center back, and both side seams - four in total. The skirt hem is rolled, machine stitched down, then hand stitched into place. All seam allowances are left unfinished. Most of the dress is machine sewn but the zipper at the center back, and on the end of each sleeve are handsewn into place. The bottom central gore lining is also hand-stitched into place. There is no brand label.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Clothing - Costume

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2007.3.720

dresses

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satin, synthetic plain weave, cotton (textile) twill, metal, and rhinestone

Length (shoulder to hem): 67 in. (170.2 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm)
Chest (flat): 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm)
Waist (flat): 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)

Object Name • Orange dress with mermaid silhouette and rhinestone straps worn by Mable Lee

nmaahc_2007.3.720

NMAAHC

ORANGE DRESS WITH MERMAID SILHOUETTE AND RHINESTONE STRAPS WORN BY MABLE LEE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1970s

Black Fashion Museum • Lee, Mable

Design • Broadway Theatre • Actors and actresses • Costume • Clothing and dress • Fashion • Dance • Musical Theatre • Entertainers

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No Known Copyright Restrictions