Decades

The Otey sisters transformed dreams into dresses for generations of Tar Heel brides, debutantes, and partygoers. They crafted figure-flattering formalwear that reflected the times. None of the Otey sisters used commercial patterns, and each dress was uniquely crafted for the woman who commissioned it. Many of the dresses were worn more than once by multiple members of the same family. Browse the decades to view details of the sisters’ creations and learn the stories behind the dresses.

Tab/Accordion Items

Inez Otey Kay White (1930s)
Inez Otey Kay White (1930s)

Debutante Portrait (1946)
Debutante Portrait (1946)
Debutante Dress (1947)
Debutante Dress (1947)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress and Veil (1947)
Wedding Dress and Veil (1947)  Additional Images
Christening Outfit (1947)
Christening Outfit (1947)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress and Beaded Cap (1947, 1948, & 1953)
Wedding Dress and Beaded Cap (1947, 1948, & 1953)  Additional Images
Wedding Trousseau, Gown (1949)
Wedding Trousseau, Gown (1949)  Additional Images
Wedding Trousseau, Robe (1949)
Wedding Trousseau, Robe (1949)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress and Veil (1948)
Wedding Dress and Veil (1948)  Additional Images
Debutante Portrait (1948-1949)
Debutante Portrait (1948-1949)
Wedding Dress and Beaded Cap (1949 & 1985)
Wedding Dress and Beaded Cap (1949 & 1985)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress and Veil (1949)
Wedding Dress and Veil (1949)  Additional Images
Donna Kay Wright (1949)
Donna Kay Wright (1949)

Debutante Portrait (1950)
Debutante Portrait (1950)
Party Dress (1950-1955)
Party Dress (1950-1955)  Additional Images
Christening Outfit (1951)
Christening Outfit (1951)  Additional Images
Painted Skirt (1952)
Painted Skirt (1952)  Additional Images
Wedding Portrait (1953)
Wedding Portrait (1953)
Debutante Dress (1953)
Debutante Dress (1953)  Additional Images
Wedding Trousseau (1953)
Wedding Trousseau (1953)  Additional Images
Prom Photograph
Prom Photograph (1953)
“Second Night” Dress (1954)
“Second Night” Dress (1954)  Additional Images
Wedding Portrait (1954)
Wedding Portrait (1954)
Wedding Dress (1955 & 1957)
Wedding Dress (1955 & 1957)  Additional Images
Debutante Portrait (1955)
Debutante Portrait (1955)
Party Dress (1955)
Party Dress (1955)  Additional Images
“Queen of Hearts” Court Dress (1956)
“Queen of Hearts” Court Dress (1956)  Additional Images
Christening Outfit (1956)
Christening Outfit (1956)  Additional Images
Debutante Portrait (1956)
Debutante Portrait (1956)
Debutante Dress (1958)
Debutante Dress (1958)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress (1958)
Wedding Dress (1958)  Additional Images
Wedding Rehearsal Dress (1958)
Wedding Rehearsal Dress (1958)  Additional Images
Wedding Portrait (1958)
Wedding Portrait (1958)
Mother-of-the-Groom Dress (1959)
Mother-of-the-Groom Dress (1959)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1959) and Wedding Dress and Veil (1962)
Debutante Dress (1959) and Wedding Dress and Veil (1962)  Additional Images
Wedding Photograph (1959)
Wedding Photograph (1959)  Additional Images

Wedding Photograph (1960)
Wedding Photograph (1960)  Additional Images
Cocktail Dress (1960’s)
Cocktail Dress (1960’s)  Additional Images
“Links” Glove Bag (1960-1965)
“Links” Glove Bag (1960-1965)  Additional Images
Dress (1960-1975)
Dress (1960-1975)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1961)
Debutante Dress (1961)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress (1961)
Wedding Dress (1961)  Additional Images
Debutante Portrait (1961)
Debutante Portrait (1961)
Sweet Sixteen Dress (1961)
Sweet Sixteen Dress (1961)  Additional Images
Dancing Dress (1962)
Dancing Dress (1962)
Debutante Dress (1962)
Debutante Dress (1962)  Additional Images
Fraternity Sweetheart Dress (1962)
Fraternity Sweetheart Dress (1962)  Additional Images
Wedding Photograph (1963)
Wedding Photograph (1963)  Additional Images
Evening Dress (1964)
Evening Dress (1964)  Additional Images
Beaded Jacket (1965)
Beaded Jacket (1965)  Additional Images
Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church Vestments (1965)
Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church Vestments (1965)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1965) and Wedding Dress (1968)
Debutante Dress (1965) and Wedding Dress (1968)  Additional Images
Child’s Dress (1966)
Child’s Dress (1966)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1966 & 1967) and Wedding Dress (1972 & 1975)
Debutante Dress (1966 & 1967) and Wedding Dress (1972 & 1975)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress and Veil (1967)
Wedding Dress and Veil (1967)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1967) and Wedding Dress (1973) / Debutante Dress (1995) and Wedding Dress (2002)
Debutante Dress (1967) and Wedding Dress (1973) / Debutante Dress (1995) and Wedding Dress (2002)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress (1969)
Wedding Dress (1969)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress and Veil (1969)
Wedding Dress and Veil (1969)  Additional Images
Debutante and Wedding Dress (1930-1970)
Debutante and Wedding Dress (1930-1970)  Additional Images

Bridesmaid Dress (1971)
Bridesmaid Dress (1971)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1971 & 1973) and Wedding Dress (1975 & 1977)
Debutante Dress (1971 & 1973) and Wedding Dress (1975 & 1977)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1972) and Wedding Dress (1976)
Debutante Dress (1972) and Wedding Dress (1976)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1973) and Wedding Dress (1975)
Debutante Dress (1973) and Wedding Dress (1975)  Additional Images
Wedding Dress (1973)
Wedding Dress (1973)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1978)
Debutante Dress (1974)  Additional Images
Beaded Handkerchief (ca. 1800-1850, beaded in 1975)
Beaded Handkerchief (ca. 1800-1850, beaded in 1975)
Debutante Dress (1975) and Wedding Dress (1980)
Debutante Dress (1975) and Wedding Dress (1980)  Additional Images
Debutante Portrait (1976)
Debutante Portrait (1976)  Additional Images
Debutante Dress (1978)
Debutante Dress (1978)  Additional Images

Debutante Dress (1980)
Debutante Dress (1980)
Woman’s two-piece suit (1980)
Woman’s two-piece suit (1980)
Wedding Veil (1983)
Wedding Veil (1983)
Debutante Dress (1983) and Wedding Dress (1991)
Debutante Dress (1983) and Wedding Dress (1991)
Christening Outfit (1983)
Christening Outfit (1983)
Wedding Dress (1985)
Wedding Dress (1985)  Additional Images