Intimate Apparel

A poignant exploration of ambition, intimacy and unexpected connections unfolds in Lynn Nottage's acclaimed play about a talented craftswomen navigating early 20th century New York. Intimate Apparel runs from April 4-13 on select dates at the Herbert & Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center, presented by FIU Theatre.

The production centers on a successful African American seamstress who has built a thriving business in 1905 creating innovative undergarments for a diverse clientele ranging from society women to sex workers. Despite her professional accomplishments and the trust she earns through her discretion and skill, her personal life remains unfulfilled at age 35.

The narrative delicately examines her complex relationships that cross social boundaries, particularly her unconventional connection with an Orthodox Jewish fabric vendor. The seamstress's world expands further when correspondence with a distant suitor introduces profound changes to her carefully constructed life.

Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the play offers a nuanced portrait of ambition, desire and the societal constraints facing women—particularly women of color—in early 20th century America.