threads of the sixties
Early 1960's
1960s Chartreuse cocktail dress
Material: Silk Shantung
Donor's story
Barbara (Jean) Markovich (1931-2020) resided in Bremerton, WA.
Jean was born in Washington DC. After the death of her father, she and her siblings were raised together in an orphanage in North Carolina where her mother paid to keep the siblings together. After graduating from high school, Jean went to Washington DC to join her mother working at the telephone company. Jean’s talent and love of music led her to be in the telephone company’s “Three Belles” performing group. She married husband William (Mark) Markovich and had five children. While a young mother, Jean earned numerous accolades and awards for her musical endeavors and community volunteering. A lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, she worked as their Field Director for the Olympic Peninsula. She also served on the Executive Board for the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. In 2004, Jean was awarded the “Woman of Achievement” award by the YWCA Kitsap County. She subsequently served on the YWCA Kitsap County Executive Board. Music inspired Jean’s active participation in three Sweet Adeline choral singing chapters and participation in numerous award-winning quartets. Jean toured many different countries throughout the world touring internationally with the Sweet Adelines.
Description
Pastel chartreuse silk shantung cocktail dress, knee length with cap sleeves and no label. Dress is an A-line shape with a distinctive decorative V sewn into the front fabric, and it is unlined. Boatneck collar has decorative white and chartreuse bands on front and back. The bands bear tips which have been decoratively frayed. Dress shields have been removed. Back metal JJuly zipper. As it has no label and the donor was a capable seamstress, this dress was likely sewn by the donor.
Silk Shantung context
Shantung silks vary from medium to heavyweight and have a slightly coarse texture. Made of spun wild silk in a plain-weave construction and often using random slubbed yarns, it is a firm fabric that lends itself to tailoring and structured garments.
