Black leotard by Mondor worn on Soul Train by dancer Sheri Byers: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A black leotard made by Mondor worn on Soul Train by dancer Sheri Byers in the late 1970s. It is made from two layers of black nylon knit fabric that are joined together at the shoulder, armscye, side seams, and crotch. The interior layer is made from a nylon/elastane blend and mirrors the outside leotard construction. Both layers are machine overcast together and so are all the other interior. At the interior neck is a brand label that reads [MONDOR] in red and brown text. Below that, in brown text is [MADE IN CANADA / FABRIQUE AU CANADA]. Care instructions are on the reverse side of the brand label. There is a second white fabric label that reads [P/S] in black text and below that is a third label also in black text that reads [M0113].

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1978-1980
• Created by: Mondor, American, founded 1955
• Subject of: Soul Train, American, 1971 - 2006
• Worn by: Sheri Byers, American
• Type: leotards
• Medium: nylon and elastane
• Dimensions: Length (collar to hem): 22 in. (55.9 cm)
• Dimensions: Width (shoulder to shoulder): 22 in. (55.9 cm)
• Dimensions: Chest (flat): 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm)
• Place made: Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
• Place used: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume
• Topic: Dance
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Music
• Topic: Popular music
• Topic: Television
• Object number: 2020.9.3
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Costume worn by Sheri Byers, dancer on Soul Train 1977-1980
• 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.