751:"Originally made for Carolyn Cheek Palmer in 1955, Cathryn Cheek Zevenhuizen wore this dress to her wedding in 1957. On a European tour it was recommended by the two sisters' brother that they visit a place in Italy to purchase Venetian lace to make a veil for Palmer's impending wedding. The sisters were each given a beautiful handkerchief with the purchase. When they met with Kay to discuss the making of the wedding dress she recommended using a design from the lace as a beading motif on the front of the gown. She also suggested using the handkerchiefs around the neckline of the dress. Consequently, the has been worn again in seven other family weddings. Courtesy of Mrs. Cathryn Cheek Zevenhuizen"
431:; a wedding gown and veil for Carolyn Dorcas Maynor; a wedding dress worn by Carolyn Cheek Palmer and later by Cathryn Cheek Zevenhuizen, an evening gown for the debutante Louise Wooten; an evening gown and overbodice worn by Kay's daughter, June, at the debut of June's daughter, Mildred Campbell; and her grandson Ralph's christening enesemble. The exhibit ran from January to September. More of Kay's designs are on display at
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Kay began working as a dressmaker to support her children after the death of her husband. She set up shop as a seamstress at her family's house, so that she could work and watch after her children. She was helped by her sisters, Mildred Otey Taylor, Chloe Otey Jervay Laws, Josephine Otey Hayes, and
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and received tickets to attend both events. Kay also designed the debutante gowns for her own granddaughters. Kay was known to later convert debutante dresses into wedding dresses for clients. Some of her more prominent clients included the wives and daughters of North
Carolina governors and
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Kay, like the other women in her family, did not use commercial patterns. Instead, she preferred the sewing methods she had learned from family members over the techniques she studied at Shaw. She sketched her dresses first, then made muslin or paper mock-ups for client fittings. She used a
156:(March 17, 1894 – September 25, 1992) was an African-American dressmaker. She was known for making wedding dresses and debutante gowns for almost sixty years, becoming one of the most sought-after designers for women's formalwear in North Carolina. Kay began her
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Elizabeth Otey, who all became successful dressmakers. Kay's father advertised her business to his clients at the barber shop. Shortly after, wives and daughters of
Raleigh's elite families began commissioning dresses. Despite
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Kay's husband died on March 6, 1927, following a surgery to treat an abdominal hernia. After her husband's death, Kay relocated the family to
Raleigh and took up residence in her childhood home. She was a devout
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sewing machine for stitching seams but did detailing by hand. Her sister, Lizzie, created lace appliqués and beadwork for her. She worked with silk, lace, and satin.
249:. Her father's clients were white, and often political and business leaders in the state's capitol. Due to this, Kay grew up in a social and political environment.
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to Henry Gaston Otey and
Josephine Alston Otey. She was the eldest of eight children and grew up in the family home on Cabarrus Street, near downtown Raleigh's
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407:. Her home became a refuge for her grandchildren when their home was endangered by bomb threats by those that opposed the family's civil rights work.
298:. Kay made christening gowns, debutante dresses, party dresses, women's evening wear, wedding dresses, clerical vestments, and bridesmaid dresses.
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Kay was first taught how to sew by her grandmother and mother, who were both seamstresses. She majored in
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did a story on Kay and her work. In 1951, one of Kay's debutante gowns was featured on the cover of
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did a story on Kay and her work. In 1951, one of Kay's debutante gowns was featured on the cover of
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While attending Shaw
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603:"Uncommon thread: Fashion designer Willie Kay was an artist. Cloth was 'her medium.'"
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in Ohio. A stained glass window at St. Ambrose
Episcopal Church is dedicated to Kay.
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343:. They married at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh in 1915 and moved to
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presented an exhibit on her life. Kay was the mother of civil rights activist
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682:"Made Especially for You by Willie Kay - Interview with Eddie Campbell"
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584:"Sewing Dreams into Dresses - Willie Otey Kay | Shaw University"
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nancy.mclaughlin@greensboro.com, Nancy McLaughlin (9 October 2021).
561:"Museum exhibit highlights creations of African-American dressmaker"
737:"Made Especially for You by Willie Kay at NC Museum of History"
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Debutante Ball, often attending the balls as a guest. In 1935,
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Observer, Samantha
Thompson Smith, The (Raleigh) News &.
540:"Exquisite gowns part of new exhibit - Restoration NewsMedia"
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Her youngest daughter, June, married civil rights activist
513:"Woman Behind the Gowns: Exhibit Honors Raleigh Designer"
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Kay was born Willie
Virginia Otey on March 17, 1894, in
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African-American history in
Raleigh, North Carolina
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221:. Her work has also been exhibited at
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664:"Photograph of bride with parents"
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321:. Her work was also featured in
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188:. Her work was also featured in
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369:John Walcott Kay II (1923–1990)
363:Willie Virginia Kay (1921–1922)
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350:The Kays had seven children:
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287:North Carolina Debutante Ball
170:North Carolina Debutante Ball
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684:– via www.youtube.com.
397:North Carolina State Auditor
646:"A Dress Made Just For You"
373:June Elizabeth Kay Campbell
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433:St. Augustine's University
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154:Willie Virginia Otey Kay
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668:Made Especially for You
544:Restoration NewsMedia -
324:The News & Observer
191:The News & Observer
52:Raleigh, North Carolina
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632:The Salt Lake Tribune
706:Wilmington Star-News
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45:Willie Virginia Otey
519:. 17 February 2016.
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765:Categories
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101:dressmaker
98:Occupation
67:1992-09-26
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225:and the
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264:Career
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