2000.85.6

This collection of eight garments, worn by Nancy Reagan, when she was First Lady of California and First Lady of the United States, illustrates fashionable stylistic changes in the work of California designer, James Galanos. This floor length evening gown is made of black silk with white flowers. The dress has a blouson style top with the torso being pleated to approximately the hip area and then is released to the floor. The dolman sleeve has fullness gathered into pleats at the cuff, and the sleeves open at the wrist by a zipper. The back opens by four shiny buttons and buttonloops of silk fashion fabric and by a zipper for the length of the pleating. There is a slit at the proper left seam. The lower half of the dress is lined with white silk chiffon and the upper bodice of the dress is lined with the black silk chiffon.

Used: Nancy Reagan | California | First Lady ~ United States of America | Adult | Female | Evening