Name/Title
DressEntry/Object ID
2020.5.2Description
Dark blue dress consisting of a nylon velvet bodice and blue-black shot polyester taffeta skirt. The bodice is decorated with a large bow at the center front in the same taffeta. The long sleeves sit slightly off the shoulder, and the fullness of the upper arm is gathered around elastic to create a "puffed" effect. The narrow cuffs are held with a single blue button each.Context
Worn by Governor Madeleine Kunin, the first female governor of Vermont, to her second Inaugural Ball on January 9, 1987 at Plumley Auditorium, Norwich University.Acquisition
Accession
2020.5Source or Donor
Kunin, Madeleine May (b. 1933)Acquisition Method
GiftClothing/Dress/Costume Details
Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume
DressClothing Sex
FemaleSize
2Textile Details
Fabric
VelvetMaterial
NylonFabric
TaffetaMaterial
PolyesterMade/Created
Date made
1987Place
City
South BurlingtonCounty
Chittenden CountyState/Province
VermontCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Kunin, Madeleine May (b. 1933)Related Places
Place
City
MontpelierCounty
Washington CountyState/Province
VermontCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaPlace
Building
Vermont State HouseCity
MontpelierCounty
Washington CountyState/Province
VermontCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaInterpretative Labels
Label
Inaugural Gown, 1987
Worn by Governor Madeleine M. Kunin (1933 - )
Burlington, VT
Velvet and taffeta fabric with plastic buttons
Gift of Governor Madeleine M. Kunin, 2020.5.2
For her second and third term inaugural balls, Kunin turned to Elaine Horseman of South Burlington. As with the first gown, Kunin worked together with the designer to design each dress. In both cases, her commitment to finding and working with a local designer was reflective of her focus on Vermont. Horseman later recalled that Kunin could have purchased a gown from anywhere in the world, but wanted to stay within Vermont.
Both gowns feature design elements that Kunin and Horseman worked on together. The second gown features a taffeta skirt in a shade of turquoise that Kunin had requested but that was particularly difficult to find. Horseman worked with a series of fabric samples before finding the right one on a trip to Montreal. The bow on the front of the dress was also a design collaboration that required several versions.