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Navy Blue Suit
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Navy Blue Suit
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Navy Blue Suit

Artifact IDMO 63.1383a-b
Object Type Suit
Date 1961
Date Worn6/1/1961
Date Worn6/4/1961
Date Worn4/9/1963
Maker (American, est. 1927)
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States
Place WornParis, France, Europe
Place WornVienna, Austria, Europe
Place WornWashington, D.C., United States, North America
Place WornLondon, England, Europe
Medium Silk shantung
DimensionsOverall (jacket) L 21 in (53.3 cm)
 Overall (skirt) L 25 1/4 in (64.1 cm)
Physical DescriptionA suit in navy blue silk shantung. A 3/4 sleeve three button jacket is paired with an A-line skirt. The skirt has two tab pockets at hip.
Historical NoteFirst Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore this suit to a luncheon with Mrs. Khruschev in Vienna during the 1961 summit meeting of President Kennedy and Nikita Khruschev. She wore the suit again as part of an ensemple to a luncheon with Chief Mayor Julien Tardiue, at the Hote de Ville in Paris, France om June 1, 1961; and at a ceremony bestowing honorary US citizenship on Sir Winston Churchill at the White House on April 9, 1963.

The suit's maker, Chez Ninon, was an exclusive Park Avenue custom dressmaking establishment opened by Nona Park and Sophie Shonnard in the late 1920s. Park and Shonnard were celebrated for their authorized European couture copies. When Jacqueline Kennedy wore this suit to the luncheon in Vienna, some 3,000 people gathered in the square before the Palladium Palace chanted "Jackie"! Mrs. Kennedy approached the window and waved at the crowd, then diplomatically asked Mrs. Khrushchev to join her. The two met at the open window, clasped hands, and held them aloft.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem is from the personal collection of President and Mrs. Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
Place WornParis, France, Europe
Place WornVienna, Austria, Europe
Place WornWashington, D.C., United States, North America
Place WornLondon, England, Europe
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesFirst Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NotePlease contact the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for permission to use this image. IP@jfklfoundation.org Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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