Artifact No. 1983.88.2, Luis Estévez Eagle Dress with Cape; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)
White Eagle Dress with Navy-Blue Cape
Artifact ID1983.88.2 a-c
Object Type
Dress
Designer
Luis Estévez
(Cuban-American, ca. 1930 - 2014)
Date
ca.1976
Medium
cotton, wool, thread, metal
DimensionsOverall H 38 in x W 15 in (96.5 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical Description(a) A knee-length cream-colored pleated dress printed with eagles has a turtleneck and long balloon sleeves. (b) A navy-blue cape, which is the same length as the dress, is draped over the shoulders.
(c) A thick navy-blue belt is fastened around the waistline.
Historical NoteBetty Ford wore this ensemble during her time as First Lady, including at a luncheon for the Committee for the Preservation of the White House on March 22, 1976; the ceremony conferring the Presidential Medal of Freedom on musician Arthur Rubenstein on April 1, 1976; and at the White House arrival ceremony for Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and his wife Loki Schmidt of West Germany on July 15, 1976.Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to First Lady Betty Ford during the Ford administration. First Lady Betty Ford donated it to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in 1983.
Credit LineGift of Betty Ford
National Archives Catalog CollectionGerald R. Ford Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 620931)
National Archives Catalog SeriesArtifacts Relating to the Family of Gerald and Betty Ford (74627970)
Use Restriction Status
Unrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.