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  • Hat, 1950-1956

    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.

  • Skullcaps, 1955-1965

    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.

  • Silk Moire Suit with Asymmetrical Closure, 1951

    Navy blue silk moire suit. Asymmetrical closure with faceted jet buttons. Long sleeves, shallow cuffs, straight skirt. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 36.938.

  • 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.

  • White Linen Print Srapless Dress, 1955

    Heavy white linen dress printed with medium pink flower and leaf design. Strapless, fitted bodice with heart-shaped neckline. Full skirt. Seams do not match in center-front, sides. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. The Henry Ford has interesting correspondence concerning this dress, a design drawing indicating that the original dress had straps, and a photograph of a mannequin in the dress.

  • Dress, 1949-1950

    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.

  • Dress with Jacket, 1959

    Dark raspberry-pink linen dress and jacket with cut-out stylized leaf design backed with matching pink silk organza. Pink cotton lining. Strapless bodice; 3/4 inch linen belt ties in front. Bolero-style jacket with raglan sleeves, two self-fabric button closures; lapels fold back on either side of square neckline.

  • Sleeveless Lace Cocktail Dress, 1953-1956

    Sleeveless dress of navy blue machine lace over navy organza and navy taffeta. Scooped neckline. Lace skirt stiffened with horsehair and taffeta. Seam at waistline. Taffeta petticoat is separate but snaps onto dress. Separate contour self-fabric belt. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. The use of lace was much favored by Balenciaga.

  • Two Piece Blue Linen Suit, 1953-1954

    Medium-blue linen suit. Very little shaping to jacket; curved seams in front and back. Six-button front closure with 3/4-length sleeves, small cuffs and collar. Jacket is weighted. Sheath skirt has separate blue China silk petticoat. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 45 121. A designer sample of this suit is worn by a Balenciaga mannequin in a 1956 photo. The Henry Ford also owns a design drawing of this suit.

  • Ball Gown, 1951

    White silk satin gown with heavily beaded strapless bodice, belt, skirt, and petticoat. Scalloped neckline encrusted with pearls, blue rhinestones, silver tinsel. Bodice lined with cream silk georgette. Satin tie attached to skirt at waist. Garters attached to waist. Petticoat of white changeable taffetta with two wide bands of horse hair. Not certain if petticoat belongs with gown. Gown has been let out slightly at waist. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwritten on tag s…

  • Dress, 1950

    Dress in navy silk taffeta with resist print white dots. Five self-fabric buttons for front closure. Wrist-length sleeves and small, high collar. Skirt is full and cut to very wide V in center-front. Back of skirt gathered up and tied with bow just below waist, swagging downward. Self-fabric belt. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 35316. A Balenciaga mannequin is shown wearing a designer's sample of this dress in a photograph dated 195…

  • Deep Navy Blue Linen Day Suit, 1951

    Deep navy-blue linen day suit. Slight V-neckline with no collar. Jacket has five decorative navy buttons, turned-back cuffs lined with white pique, China silk lining. Straight skirt. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 38713.

  • Strapless Chiffon and Satin Evening Dress, 1952-1953

    Gown of navy-blue silk chiffon over salmon-pink silk satin. The two fabrics are sewn together at each seam and at hem. Chiffon slightly gathered over bustline to navy blue velvet ribbon to Empire waist. Natural waist with seam; separate self-fabric belt with buckle. Attached to left side of dress is a length of navy-blue chiffon that could hang down side or serve as short stole. Skirt cut on bias. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 3190…

  • 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…

  • Evening Dress with Stole, 1951-1952

    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.

  • Satin Embroidered Gown with Large Cummerbund Sash, 1950

    Pale blue satin gown with embroidered floral patterns of 1/8 standing silver braid, silver beads, white and gray pearls, blue and silver thread. Embroidery applied heavily to create bands at strapless neckline and hem. Dress is straight with slight A shape towards hem. Cummerbund sash of fuschia pink faille, approximately twenty-two inches wide, gathered around waist. Large floor-length matching bow attaches to cummerbund; self-fringe at bottom. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARI…