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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.

  • Hat, 1950-1955

    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.

  • Shoes, about 1930-1950

    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.

  • Shoes, 1940-1950

    Mrs. Firestone surely had these made to match a specific outfit. They may have been used for social occasions at home.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.

  • Shoes, 1950-1960

    This style of shoe was among Mrs. Firestone's very favorites; she wore it consistently for nearly two decades. This pair were likely custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. 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 impeccab…

  • Shoes, 1950-1965

    This style of shoe was among Mrs. Firestone's very favorites; she wore it consistently for nearly two decades. This pair were likely custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. Please note, she rarely wore black after 1930 and we have no black outfits owned by Mrs. Firestone from the 1950s.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 l…

  • Platform Sandals, about 1935-1950

    These shoes, used in the summer in the late 1930's and 1940's, are one of the rare pair of casual shoes in our collection of Mrs. Firestone's clothing and accessories. She usually favored European designer; the American label may indicate that these were used during the war when many European couture houses were closed.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 …

  • 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.

  • Shoes, 1945-1950

    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.

  • Wool Flannel Suit with Raglan Sleeves, 1950

    Dark-gray wool flannel suit. Raglan sleeves with turn-back cuff. Three-button diagonal trim at front of each shoulder. Seam at jacket waistline. Padded peplum with flap pockets. Hook and eye closures. Narrow skirt has pleat in front and back. Dark gray silk faille lining. Clothing label: Christian Dior/PARIS/MADE IN FRANCE. Stamped on label: 15393. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 21721. This may be one of the most stunning suits in any collection: it is understated and perfectly tailor…

  • Navy Blue Synthetic Silk Faille Evening Dress, 1947

    Floor-length, navy blue synthetic silk faille evening dress. Stand-up collar. Long raglan sleeves with gathers at inseam. Navy blue velvet insertion at decolletage with large navy blue velvet bow. Slit pockets on hips. Medium-full skirt over attached black petticoat with wide pleated flounce at hem. White crepe inner bodice and grosgrain boned corselette. Clothing label: Christian Dior/PARIS/MADE IN FRANCE. Stamped on label: 8344. This garment was owned by Elizabeth Parke Firestone, daughter of …

  • 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…

  • Shoes, 1950-1960

    The heel shape of these shoes suggests that Mrs. Firestone wore them closer to 1950 than 1960. Whatever the year, the color tells us that they were certainly worn during the summer. It is traditionally thought of as inappropriate to wear white shoes after Labor Day. 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 …

  • 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…

  • Three-piece Beaded Satin Evening Dress, about 1950

    Three-piece violet satin evening dress covered with violet bugle beads in random pattern. Separate bodice has heart-shaped neckline with 1 wide straps and 1-1/2 fold-over satin neckline. Bodice built over corselette with attached garters. Separate straight skirt with hip pockets. Separate unbeaded satin belt.

  • Platform Sandals, 1940-1950

    Mrs. Firestone liked pinks of all kinds. She purchased many shoes and clothes in pink and fuschia- such as these shoes- mainly in the 1940s and 1950s. 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.

  • Shoes, 1930-1950

    Mrs. Firestone wore this style shoe for more casual occasions. They were also likely used for travel.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 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.

  • Shoes, 1950-1960

    These type of pumps were generally worn by Mrs. Firestone with suits. 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.

  • Shoes, 1940-1950

    These are the style of shoes Mrs. Firestone wore during the 1940s. It is unclear how well the ankle ties would have stayed tied very long. They were likely usedin the summer for evening and social occasions.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 …