Brown and black striped silk moiré bodice and skirt

Born enslaved in Alabama, Louvinia Price (1857–1934) worked as a dressmaker after gaining her freedom. This silk moiré ensemble is believed to have been made by Price for an employer, who later returned it to her. Lucy Cordice, also a designer and dressmaker, inherited it from Price, her grandmother.

A brown and black striped silk moiré women’s day ensemble consisting of a bodice and skirt. The bodice (a) is made of brown and black striped silk moiré faille and has dropped shoulders. The bodice’s round neckline and armscye seams are piped, and a band of cotton lace is hand-stitched to the neckline. The piped neckline is encased with black silk crepeline. The bodice’s lace collar and undersleeves were later additions likely ...