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  • Duster, about 1915

    Duster, about 1915

    The material does not feel as if it is all wool--perhaps wool and cotton or wool and linen. Worn by Willis C. Ward, it is typical in the styling of men's driving dusters. The material, however, is uncommon, as most dusters were generally linen. Willis C. Ward was born in 1861 to one of Michigan's wealthest families of the 19th century. His father David Ward, made his fortune in lumber and acquired and sold timbered land throughout the United States.

  • Coat Dress, about 1950

    Coat Dress, about 1950

    This is an interesting dress in that it appears to be a transitional late 1940s style. It includes features of prewar fashion such as the shoulder pads, but also has some of the fullness in the skirt characteristic of circa 1947 New Look styling. It was owned by Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine of Ann Arbor, MI. Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and rail…

  • Dress Ensemble, 1950-1953

    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.

  • Denim Jacket, about 1973

    Denim Jacket, about 1973

    Worn by the son of Elenore Lehmann Herkommer of Beverly Hills, Michigan, this is a great example of a young boy's waist-length jean jacket of the 1970s, when mass-produced rugged wear formerly reserved for the farm and ranch became fashionable casual wear among all social classes. Patches with a variety of images and slogans were a popular way of personalizing and adding visual interest to a piece, even if the wearer did not necessarily grasp their meanings (Schlitz, for example, was a popular b…

  • Evening Dress and Coat, about 1961

    Evening Dress and Coat, about 1961

    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.

  • Girl's Parka, 1992

    Girl's Parka, 1992

    This piece was purchased by the curator on the recommendation of fourth-grade African-American students at Woodward Elementary School in Detroit, Michigan - they said that this jacket best represented "hot" styles that kids loved. It was purchased new from Marianne Kids on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

  • Women's cloak of striped wool from the nineteenth century

    Women's cloak of striped wool from the nineteenth century

    This woman's cloak is made of a striped wool (red, blue and brown on tan). It has a pointed yoke and standing collar of brown velvet, and self fabric buttons down its front. The back is fitted with very low bustle, and the pleated front hides the arm slits. Unlined. It was described in the original accession records as a traveling cloak. The cloak was worn by Annie Caskey Turner (Mrs. Samuel) of Detroit. Label: Compagnie Russe, 26 Chausse D'Antin and Blvd. Hausseman 23.

  • Women's golden brown plush cloak from the nineteenth century

    Women's golden brown plush cloak from the nineteenth century

    This woman's golden brown plush cloak was purchased at Newcomb Endicott. The ankle length coat is single breasted with twelve mother of pearl buttons. Tight sleeves with slight puff at shoulder, rounded stand-up collar edged with rust color ostrich feathers. Shaped for bustle in the back, and slit from hem to waist. Yoke, sleeves, front, slit, and hem are decorated with black braid in an elaborate pattern. Lined with brown satin. Worn by donor's cousin, Augusta D. Von Schrader, a Detroit scho…

  • Women's silk plush evening coat from the nineteenth century

    Women's silk plush evening coat from the nineteenth century

    This woman's silk plush evening coat has sleeves of heavy grosgrain silk gathered into large puff on top. The round fur (probably fox)stand-up collar is two and a half inches in height. The fur continues down the right side to the hips. There are four large buttons in the back, and another four are in the front. The coat fastens with hooks and eyes, and has a dark brown silk twill lining. The garment was bought at Taylor-Woolfenden, Detroit. Worn by Jane Lynn Patterson, whose husband was an…

  • Women's black silk faille dolman from the nineteenth century

    Women's black silk faille dolman from the nineteenth century

    This is a woman's black silk faille dolman with braid jet and fringe trim. It has a quilted lining. See matching dress number 48.47.4.

  • Black silk faille dress from the nineteenth century

    Black silk faille dress from the nineteenth century

    This woman's black silk faille dress has satin stripes, braid, jet bead and fringe trim. The skirt attached to the top at the back only. The dress has a double row of black crocheted buttons with tiny jet bead centers down the front of its jacket-like top. There is a deep pleated flounce bustle at the back. See matching dolman number 48.47.1. Worn by Mrs. Calvin Maxfield ( Jane Graham) b. 1844, Hartland, MI. Died 1883, Plymouth, MI. Her husband operated a hotel in Plymouth.

  • Women's navy blue wool matlesse suit from the early twentieth century

    Women's navy blue wool matlesse suit from the early twentieth century

    Woman's navy blue wool matlesse suit with a cut-a-way jacket and long skirt. The V-neck jacket has a deep shawl collar and a partial velvet facing. Long narrow sleeves have three velvet ball buttons. The jacket closes with two velvet ball buttons and an elaborate velvet and self-fabric frogs. It is lined in nary color charmuse. The coat dips from waist length in front to knee length in back. Half-belt of fabric tubing and velvet at waist level. Ankle-length pegged skirt with a concealed waistba…

  • Blue silk dress with chain stitch embroidery from the mid '20s or early '30s

    Blue silk dress with chain stitch embroidery from the mid '20s or early '30s

    This bright blue silk women's dress has all over machine made chain stitch embroidery. It has green and white leaves as well as two triangles in the design in front. The dress has a square neck, long sleeves and is lined with blue chiffon. Label: "Mae & Hattie Green, PARIS, NEW YORK, 16 East 52nd Street."

  • Two-piece knit dress with tunic top from the 1920s

    Two-piece knit dress with tunic top from the 1920s

    This two-piece knit dress has a tunic top and plain skirt. There are nine buttons on each side of the tunic as well as machine embroidery in shades of orange and tan. Label: "MADE IN FRANCE, Mae & Hattie Green, 587, Fifth Avenue. NEW-YORK."

  • Two-piece tan silk shantung dress from the nineteenth century

    Two-piece tan silk shantung dress from the nineteenth century

    This woman's two-piece tan silk shantung dress has a skirt with a gathered side pannier. The dress is trimmed with brown faille, and the curaisse bodice has brown faille trim. It has brown panel in front with a large brown and tan bow, and streamers in back. Its sleeves are finished with a lace-edged white ruffle. The dress is lined. Note: Coat with hood 1950.001.011 matches the dress. See also matching parasol 1950.001.101. Note: Two pieces from trousseau of Della Miles Bertch, born c. 187…

  • White wool crepe dress from the early twentieth century

    White wool crepe dress from the early twentieth century

    Women's sheer white wool crepe dress, trimmed with heavy floral lace. One piece. "V" neck, natural waist, 3/4 length sleeves. Ankle-length straight skirt with peplum of lace and wide band of lace at hem. Trimmed with rows of pairs of crocheted balls, down front and sides. Original purchase price was $125.00. Owned by Mrs. Carrie Norbury, co-owner of the Norbro Shop on Grand River at Woodward

  • Red gown with lace yoke from the early twentieth century

    Red gown with lace yoke from the early twentieth century

    Womn's ruby red silk velvet gown with lace yoke. The dress is high waisted with elbow length sleeves, and has a "D'Haene, Detroit" label. For a tall, slim woman, dress has a 19" waist. Probably worn by donor's mother, Margaret McMillan ( daughter of Robert, of G&R McMillan). Mrs. Arthur David Holmes. He was a doctor, specializing in children. Married in Detroit, 1898. Margaret b. c. 1864. Daughters Margaret M. born c. 1899, Agnes May born c. 1900.

  • Dark green wool two-piece day dress from the nineteenth century

    Dark green wool two-piece day dress from the nineteenth century

    This woman's dark green wool day dress has two pieces, and its collar, cuffs, waistband, and front of bodice are made of paisley-patterned wool. The lower portion of skirt has a matching paisley pattern. Worn by Miss Esther Brown, cousin of donor's mother. Miss Brown was born in 1846. Donor's mother was the daughter of tobacco manufacturer and Michigan Governor J.J. Bagley.

  • White silk and chiffon dress from the early twentieth century

    White silk and chiffon dress from the early twentieth century

    Woman's one piece dress in white silk and chiffon. The silk forms the body of the dress, and the chiffon is used for the collar, under-waist, and sleeves. The bodice, cummerbund, belt, cuffs, and skirt are embroidered with white silk floss, in a pattern of roses and butterflys. The bodice has a V-neck, and square collar, and the skirt has a peg top. Made by Detroit dressmaker Bertha Krenz.

  • Women's suit with divided skirt and matching jacket of tan linen from the early twentieth century

    Women's suit with divided skirt and matching jacket of tan linen from the early twentieth century

    A woman's suit that consists of divided skirt and matching jacket of tan linen. The tailored suit has a long jacket with four buttons in front, and two buttons on the cuff of each sleeve. The skirt has eleven buttons on the panel that conceals the pants, and a separate belt. Note: Helen Andrus Merrell Howard, daughter of Dr. Frank D. Howard, married Francis (C.or E.)Merrell c. 1908, and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Original records call this a bicycling suit, but it might have been worn a…