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  • Evening Dress, 1950

    Dress and jacket of navy blue floral-embroidered net sewn onto flesh-colored silk chiffon attached to navy blue silk faille slip. Net has quilted effect made by tacking down net in area of embroidery, allowing remaining tulle to puff-up around edges. Dress is strapless, with small standing ruffle of net at bodice top. Separate waist-length jacket has navy tie around neckline, elbow length sleeves, and lining of navy blue silk organza. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwrit…

  • Dress Ensemble, 1950-1953

    Another simple yet stunning evening dress and cape by the brilliant and dramatic Spanish-born designer, Cristobal Balenciaga.Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.