Supremes Dress Collection Goes On Display Sunday

Fri, November 11, 2011

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KMUW / Carla Eckels

A founding member of the Motown hit-making Supremes saved dozens of trend-setting dresses and accessories that marked the trio’s rise to fame in the early 1960s. The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection opens at the Wichita Art Museum this Sunday.

The exhibit will feature 50 distinctive gowns worn by members of the Supremes, as well as rare memorabilia that spans their star-studded career.

Visitors will learn more about the legendary group, designers who helped create their signature look, as well as the history that surrounded their chart-topping songs such as Back In My Arms Again.

Chief Curator Stephen Gleissner says he’s proud that the collection of pretty gowns is not just glitz and glamour.

“It’s technique, it’s craftsmanship, the materials are of supreme quality,” says Gleissner. “Oh, I didn’t mean the pun…but also the construction. This is serious couture. The best fabrics hand sewn. These are not thrown together. These are Jackie Onasis quality dresses made for the stage.”

Gleissner says the elaborately sequined gowns were created by designers including Bob Mackie, Michael Travis and Stephan Burrows.

“At the time, these gowns cost in the thousands of dollars,” says Gleissner. “If you translate them into contemporary dollars, some of these would be $16,000 dresses today, for girls who grew up in the housing projects of Detroit.”

On December 16, Mary Wilson will perform at the museum and reminisce about her time as a member of the Supremes.

More information about the event is available at wichitaartmuseum.org. The exhibit begins Sunday and runs through January 12.