681 results for: Clothing and Dress
Floral patterned skirt suit, worn by Louise McKinney, 1961
Louise McKinney (1930-2012) was a Seattle educator, civil rights advocate, and business owner. She was also the wife of Rev. Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Louise McKinney wore this suit for an event with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he visited Seattle in 1961. King and Samuel McKinney had been classmates at Morehouse College,…
ID Number:2018.10.2
Date:1961
Black cap or beret worn by Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, ca. 1960-1990s
This hat belonged to Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney (1926-2018), author and leading civil rights advocate in Seattle, Washington. He served as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, one of the largest and oldest Black churches in the Pacific Northwest, from 1958 to 1998 and again from 2005 to 2008. McKinney wore this hat while "quitting" people after service (shaking…
ID Number:2018.10.6
Date:Circa 1960-1990
Gold silk gown and coat designed by Howard Blair, 1959
Local designer, Howard Blair, made garments for those who wanted to stand out. He created wedding gowns, evening attire, and pageant queen dresses. To ensure this ensemble grabbed attention (besides the strategically placed tassels), Blair attached small bells under the skirt. This ensemble, created for an event that promoted trade with Japan, used over fifty yards of silk from Kobe,…
ID Number:2018.40.1
Date:1959
Sequin Dress made by Howard Blair, 1950s
This sequined mermaid-style evening gown was created by Seattle designer Howard Blair. Blair started designing in high school when he made theater costume and prom dresses for friends. Working out of his family home, he became a sought-after designer for local and national pageant dresses, wedding gowns, and evening attire. In 1958, just eight years into his career, he was…
ID Number:2018.40.2
Date:1950
Hot pink and black lace dress, c. 1965-66
This satin and lace gown was created by Seattle designer Howard Blair. Blair started designing in high school when he made theater costumes and prom dresses for friends. Working out of his family home, he became a sought-after designer for local and national pageant dresses, wedding gowns, and evening attire. In 1958, just eight years into his career, he was…
ID Number:2018.40.3
Date:Circa 1965-1966
Floral taffeta dress, "Monet," ca. 1964
This gown was created by Seattle designer Howard Blair and referred to as the “Monet Dress.” The main textile is a fabric known as chiné, where the vertical (warp) threads of the fabric are printed before weaving. In the weaving process the print is stretched to create a watercolor-like effect. Blair worked out of his family home and was a…
ID Number:2018.40.4
Date:Circa 1964
Green gown with matching stole and hat, made by Howard Blair, 1970s
This green ensemble was created by Seattle designer Howard Blair for a client to wear at a wedding in the 1970s. Blair worked out of his family home and was a sought-after designer for wedding gowns, evening attire, and local and national pageant dresses. In 1958, just eight years into his career, he was reported to already have made 600…
ID Number:2018.40.5
Date:1970
ROFFE one-piece ski suit, 1980s
Brightly colored one-piece ski suits were a hot style in the 1980s. This one has snaps that are color-matched and thoughtfully placed to not interrupt the lines where colors intersect. Each snap has an R for Roffe.Sam Roffe founded the company in Seattle in 1953, after spending 22 years as a cutter at Seattle Woolen. Roffe himself was never a…
ID Number:2018.45.1
Date:Circa 1980
Raincoat, "Collette" by Clear Coated, 2018
Seattle designer Miriam Reynolds Rigby was inspired to create her line of clear raincoats because she disliked getting dressed up in a cute outfit only to cover it up with a raincoat to leave the house. She created the first version of her Clear Coated raincoat as part of a final project while attending the apparel design program at Seattle…
ID Number:2018.46.1
Date:2018
Shirt, "I am a boy," by International News, ca. 1986
Seattle company, International News, was known for bold graphic prints like what is shown on this shirt. International News, established in 1983, was formed with the partnership of two other Seattle companies: an executive from Britania and founders of Shah Safari.
ID Number:2018.55.1
Date:Circa 1986