Berber Young Woman's Dress

Dark blue dress with magenta stripes down the front and a stitched yoke.

This young woman's embroidered cotton dress is Berber, from Middle Atlas, Morocco, North Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Embroidery in Moroccan Amazigh communities is generally done by women, and the stitched geometric patterns are often handed down within families and can vary from one region to another. Long-sleeved garment in deep indigo, with wide bright magenta bands running vertically from the chest to the hem. A V-shaped neck panel is embroidered in red and white, and the sleeve ends are edged in pink. It is 49 inches wide and 51 long.

Subdued blue, loud stripes, and a very tidy neckline.