Dress
Arthur McGee · 1980s
Arthur McGee
- American sportswear
- Textile-led ready-to-wear
Arthur McGee became the first Black American to lead a Seventh Avenue design studio in 1957. After opening his own boutique, The Store, in 1965, he developed ready-to-wear grounded in the simplicity of American sportswear.
Five looks to know
Collection selection
Dress
1980s
Loose sleeves and a straight, above-knee body give this cotton dress a relaxed silhouette. Broad reddish marks animate its pale surface. The Met relates McGee’s wider practice to practical sportswear and his interest in African textile traditions.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Ensemble
1980s · The Met collection
Cotton.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Evening dress
1960s · The Met collection
(a) cotton, synthetic, metal, (b) cotton, metal.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Ensembles
1980s · The Met collection
Wool, cotton.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Lavender tweed swing coat
mid 20th-late 20th century
A generous swing silhouette and deep back pleat give this coat its sculptural volume.
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureArchive pieces, grouped by date
1 piece1980s
1 piece · Season not recorded
About Arthur McGee
His interest in African textiles and techniques informed his broader practice, while mentorship made him an important figure for later Black designers.