Costume worn by Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey in the film 12 Years a Slave: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A costume consisting of a dress (.1) and shoes (.2) worn by Lupita Nyong'o as the character Patsey in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013).

The dress is designed and weathered to resemble an early 19th century Regency era gown that survived until the 1840s setting of the film in which the dress features, 12 Years a Slave. The dress is a faded blush pink color with short-sleeves and an empire waist. There is pleated detail at the front waistline. The bottom of the dress has a hidden hem which follows the frayed bottom edge and prevents additional tears. The back fastens closed with three buttons and four sets of hook-and-eye fasteners. The buttons are off-white and have circular detailing. The sleeves are puffed with interior snaps and tabs of fabric used to secure undergarments. Inside the proper left side of the back shoulder is a barcode [Western Costume/40982797]. There is an additional barcode on the proper right hip inside the dress that is struck through in red ink [Western Costume/40445971].

The weathered suede slippers are greenish tan in color. The slipper uppers have an elastic cord running around the opening of the shoes, allowing for a slight adjustment in size. One leather cord strung above the vamp and throat of both shoes ties around the ankles. The shoes have leather soles and are distressed for effect.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 2013
• Designed by: Patricia Norris, American, 1931 - 2015
• Worn by: Lupita Amondi Nyong'o, Mexican Kenyan, born 1983
• Created by: Western Costume Company, American, founded 1912
• Subject of: Solomon Northup, American, 1808 - 1875
• Type: ensembles (costume)
• Medium: Dress: cloth, thread, metal, plastic
• Medium: Shoes: leather, elastic, thread
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume
• Topic: Hollywood (Film)
• Topic: Slavery
• Topic: Women
• Object number: 2015.158.1
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Western Costume Company
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: No Known Copyright Restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.