Miss America Robe
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Marian Bergeron
(American, 1918 - 2002)
Date1933
Mediummachine and hand-stitched velvet, metallic lamé fabric, and satin decorated with glass gems and gellatin sequins
DimensionsRobe (shoulder width x CB length x bottom hem): 15 × 81 × 128in. (38.1 × 205.7 × 325.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Marian Ann J. Montgomery, PhD
Object number2022.50.1
DescriptionRed velvet Miss America robe awarded to Marian Bergeron in 1933 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The robe was constructed by both machine and by hand out of stage-quality materials. The robe primary consists of red velvet, the bodice is lined with yellow satin and the skirt of the robe is lined with metallic lamé fabric. There is no closure method. The front flaps are decorated with a decorative border of silver sequins, this design continues down the edges of the robe and train. The bodice features dramatically puffed sleeves with metallic lamé lace edging. The exterior of the robe is highly decorated with gelatin sequins in two colorways, blue and silver, green glass gems with reflective backing, and appliqued metallic lamé. The back of the bodice features appliqued metallic lamé in a fleur-de-lis shape, the fleur-de-lis is decorated with silver colored gelatin sequins and three round, green glass gems with reflective backing. There are two sequin flowers flanking the fleur-de-lis, the petals of the flower are constructed from blue gelatin sequins with silver colored gelatin sequins forming the center circle. Alternating stripes of blue and silver sequins descend from the base of the bodice down to the train of the robe. The train of the robe is decorated with five fleur-de-lis shaped applique of metallic lamé, these are further decorated with silver sequins and green glass gems with reflective backing. The appliques are surrounded by flowers constructed from blue gelatin sequins with silver colored gelatin sequins forming the center circle.
NotesHistorical Note: Marian Bergeron was crowned Miss America in 1933. She was the youngest Miss America to have won, winning at the age of 15 1/2. When her age was discovered, she was disqualified, but the crown had already been stolen from her hotel. She held the title for two years, as the Miss America Pageant was not held in 1934.Status
Not on view
