wedding dress

Clothing/Dress/Costume

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

wedding dress

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.381

Description

Floor-length wedding dress in ivory/cream fabric patterned with an allover tone-on-tone paisley. Fitted bodice with a round/jewel neckline, set-in three-quarter sleeves, princess/panel seaming, and a center-back closure (zipper at the nape); the skirt falls in a long A-line to the floor. The cut is modest and unadorned (no lace, beading, or train). Hand-made. The fabric is wrinkled and lightly age-toned with minor soiling; the garment is otherwise intact. No maker's label (home/dressmaker-made).

Use

Made by a seamstress friend of Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez as a gift to her daughter, with fabric purchased at a state store. María A. Arús Caraballo did not like it much, finding it too serious for her taste.

Context

This is a wedding gown from 1971, hand-made, of fabric purchased in state stores. The choice of an ivory tone-on-tone paisley dress fabric (rather than formal white bridal satin) reflects the use of whatever suitable cloth was obtainable, making the gown a telling artifact of wedding culture under material constraint. (Cuba also developed state "Palacios de los Matrimonios" and wedding provisions in this era; this gown represents the home-dressmaking side of that world.)

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, María A. Arús Caraballo collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Clothing/Dress/Costume Details

Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume

Gown

Clothing Sex

Female

Textile Details

Fabric

Brocade

Color

White

Notes

Ivory paisley-patterned fabric — printed or jacquard, synthetic (e.g., polyester) or cotton/blend (fiber tentative); back zipper. Ivory/cream (tone-on-tone paisley).

Made/Created

Date made

1971

Place

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

hand-made

Dimensions

Dimension Description

No size (fitted)

Parts

Single garment: bodice with jewel neckline and long sleeves; center-back zip closure; long A-line skirt.

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

María A. Arús Caraballo

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

production, use

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

March 31, 2022

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026