Dress Item Number: 3692/7 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Two piece dress- blouse (part a) and skirt (part b). Blouse has short bell sleeves, and square neckline; neckline lower in back than front. Two pleats run down front and back; giving top a flared waist. Zipper running up from bottom edge, on back; stops shortly before neckline. Skirt has hook and bar fastening on left side of waist, with zipper beneath. Skirt flares from waist, with long pleat along right side; pleat gives back of skirt two layers of fabric. Blouse, front of skirt and middle of skirt pleat are mixed red and olive green, appearing brown from a distance; columns of alternating dark brown and dark pink flower-like designs. Back of skirt, and interior of pleat, made up vertical stripe pattern; primarily done in red and orange, with thin white, black, and green stripes throughout. Bottom edges, cuffs and waist are bordered with patterned bands; bands trimmed with green, white, yellow, and red stripes. Bands are embroidered with red butterflies; flowers and scallops throughout butterflies. Interior of blouse and skirt are lined.
Textiles were acquired by the donor, and her mother, in the mid-1960s, in the Hausa area. They were for their personal use, or their husband's.