Dress 1936

Marie Famularo rendered this drawing of a dress in 1926. Famularo lived during a time of shifting gender roles. Women increasingly sought opportunities beyond the domestic sphere, yet expectations and societal norms still largely confined them. The dress, with its high collar and long sleeves, speaks to this duality. It hints at a sense of modesty and restraint, while the tailored fit suggests a desire for sophistication and perhaps even professional recognition. The dark color and minimal embellishments imply a practicality that aligns with the changing roles of women in the workforce, however, the lace details at the collar and cuffs offer a nod to traditional femininity. Consider what the act of designing and making clothing meant for women like Famularo. It offered a space for creativity and self-expression, as well as a potential pathway to economic independence. In viewing this image, we might ask ourselves what kind of identities are constructed, negotiated, and sometimes contested through the clothes we wear.