{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1648611"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1648611/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NK6979/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NK6979/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2023NK6979","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NK6980","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NK6981","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NK6982","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1648611/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1648611","accessionNumber":"T.2388-2021","objectType":"Dress","titles":[{"title":"Aluel","type":"manufacturer's title"},{"title":"Dinka Translation Collection","type":"named collection"}],"summaryDescription":"Based in Nairobi, Kenyan fashion designer Katungulu Mwendwa is known for her understated and skillfully constructed fashion collections inspired by the diverse traditions of communities from across the African continent such as the Tuareg and Dinka communities. \r\n\r\nHer ‘Dinka Translation’ collection of 2013, from which this dress comes, is inspired by the stories, iconography and traditions of the South Sudanese Dinka community. The name of this dress, ‘Aluel’, is a Dinka term meaning either beautiful woman or beautiful cow. Mwendwa explains that this name is a great compliment in a community in which cattle are highly valued. ","physicalDescription":"Sleeveless black knee-length dress","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Mwendwa, Katungulu","id":"AUTH373087"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa","id":"AUTH362225"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"tencel","id":"x44241"},{"text":"linen (material)","id":"AAT14069"},{"text":"Cuprammonium","id":"THES282204"}],"techniques":[{"text":"weaving","id":"AAT53642"},{"text":"","id":""}],"materialsAndTechniques":"47% cupro, 22% Tencel®, 31% linen ","categories":[{"text":"Fashion","id":"THES48957"},{"text":"Womenswear","id":"THES49044"},{"text":"Africa","id":"THES49019"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&F","id":"THES48601"},"images":["2023NK6979","2023NK6980","2023NK6981","2023NK6982"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"SHLN","id":"THES49063"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Dress","id":"x47499"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Kenya","id":"x35155"},"association":{"text":"designed and made","id":"x39722"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2013","earliest":"2013-01-01","latest":"2013-12-31"},"association":{"text":"designed","id":"x29338"},"note":""},{"date":{"text":"2021","earliest":"2021-01-01","latest":"2021-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Purchased with funds from the Sue Smith bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"1010","unit":"mm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"03/08/2021","earliest":"2021-08-03","latest":"2021-08-03"},"part":"Shoulder to hem","note":""},{"dimension":"Circumference","value":"870","unit":"mm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"03/08/2021","earliest":"2021-08-03","latest":"2021-08-03"},"part":"Bust","note":""},{"dimension":"Circumference","value":"820","unit":"mm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"03/08 /2021","earliest":"2021-08-03","latest":"2021-08-03"},"part":"Waist","note":""},{"dimension":"Circumference","value":"940","unit":"mm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"03/08/2021","earliest":"2021-08-03","latest":"2021-08-03"},"part":"Hips","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Measured by conservation","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"The dress was initially available in four colourways: grey, off-white, cream or black, maintaining her preference for muted, versatile colours. ","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Dress, Aluel, black,Dinka Translation collection, designed by Katungulu Mwendwa, Nairobi, Kenya, 2021","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"small batch","id":"THES252237"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Mwendwa describes herself as an ‘architect for clothing’. Here we see her design process from paper pattern to toile mock-up, and the final design. The ‘Aluel’ dress is typical of Mwendwa’s innovative combination of angular details and curvilinear forms. Mwendwa was inspired by the stories and traditions of the South Sudanese Dinka community. <i>Aluel</i> is a Dinka word meaning beautiful woman or beautiful cow. Mwendwa explains the name is a great compliment in a community in which cattle are highly valued. (T.2388 & 2389-2021) V&amp;A, Room 40, <i>Africa Fashion</i> ","date":{"text":"02/07/2022 - 16/04/2023","earliest":"2022-07-02","latest":"2023-04-16"}}],"partNumbers":["T.2388-2021"],"accessionNumberNum":"2388","accessionNumberPrefix":"T","accessionYear":2021,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-05-01","recordCreationDate":"2021-07-29","availableToBook":false}}