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  • Hat, 1945-1955

    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.

  • Hat, 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.

  • Strapless Silk Evening Gown with Stole, 1952

    Red silk dress with stole. Corselet in bodice made of white cotton net, stiffened with boning. Dress lined with multiple layers of net. Loose, slip-like lining of white and dark red silk. Skirt has been shortened a fraction. Rectangular stole folded in half; additional fold stitched in back. Stole has self-fabric fringe and two silk fabric loops for arms. Clothing label: AUTOMNE-HIVER 1952/Christian Dior/PARIS/MADE IN FRANCE. Stamped on label: 24345. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 539…

  • White Satin Ball Gown with Heavily Beaded Bodice, 1955

    Powdery-blue or blue-grey satin evening gown. Floral embroidery of silver, pink and blue-grey colored metallic threads (some appear to be tarnished silver, others may be synthetic) decorated with iridescent rhinestones and tiny sequins. Embroidery diminishes towards bottom of dress; no embroidery at hemline. Skirt smooth and curved in front, gathered in back. At center-back waistline is a large asymmetrical vertical bow with attached sash. Corselet inside of bodice. Bodice stiffened with white c…

  • 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 with Stole, 1954

    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.

  • Embroidered Cotton Organdy Dress with Stole, 1955

    White cotton organdy gown with floral pattern embroidery. Embroidery includes white raffia, silver threads, silver beads, white horsehair, pearl-like sequins, silk(?) flower petals. Embroidery on bodice and wide band at the hem of the skirt. Underneath top layer is one layer of organdy, one layer of nylon stiffened with horsehair, two layers of white nylon net, and white silk slip. Matching wrap is large and oblong with same embroidery and triple scalloped end. Clothing label: PRINTEMPS-ETE 1955…

  • Silk Ottoman-Style Dress with Short Jacket, 1952

    Short, off-white, heavily corded silk Ottoman-style dress with jacket. Strapless bodice with side seams emphasized by satin cording. Two satin bows on either side of waistline. Dress has been slightly shortened. Underneath dress is one layer of stiffening, one layer of tulle, and slip. Matching jacket is popularly called a shrug. Clothing label on dress: AUTOMNE-HIVER 1952/Christian Dior/PARIS. Stamped on label: 090226. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 54.034. Clothing label on jacket: …

  • Printed Shantung Silk Dress and Jacket Ensemble, 1958

    Dress and jacket ensemble in printed blue shantung silk. Modified surplice neckline. Short sleeves with self-fabric bows where sleeve and neckline meet. Fitted bodice, full skirt. Skirt has one heavy net petticoat with two layers of tulle sewn to it over navy blue silk slip. Matching waist-length jacket has peaked collar, curved lapel with two black silk button closure, two mock flap pockets, bracelet length sleeves. Clothing label: PRINTEMPS-ETE 1958/Christian Dior/PARIS. The 1958 collection wa…

  • Wool Blend Sleeveless Sheath Dress, about 1952

    Sleeveless sheath dress in navy blue wool/silk or wool/mohair blend. Composed of two panels, front and back, buttoned together at shoulder and along sides. Back panel pleated from knee-level to hem. Standing collar and hip-level pockets edged with white pique. Separate same-fabric belt edged with black patent leather. F (for front) and B (for back) embroidered at neckline; R (for right) and L (for left) embroidered in pockets. Clothing label: 1837(1?). This dress is not labeled, but it looks lik…

  • Blue Silk Faille Evening Dress, 1957

    Midnight blue silk faille dress. Very wide decollatage with three self-fabric roses: one at each shoulder and one at center front. Bracelet length sleeves. Very full skirt gathered into waistline. Skirt lined with blue silk organza. Underneatth are three layers of blue net, petticoat with three flounces of horsehair-stiffened net, and cream silk slip. Hem taken-up one half inch. Clothing label: AUTOMNE-HIVER 1957/Christian Dior. Stamped on label: 090226. This dress is from Dior's last collection…

  • Woman's Grey Polka Dot Two Piece Suit, 1953

    Medium gray suit, possibly silk and wool, woven with light gray dots. Bodice has standing collar edged with blue crepe. Elbow-length sleeves with fullness gathered into small cuff. Skirt snaps onto bodice. Three buttons continue down skirt to hipline. Lined with navy silk. Clothing label: PRINTEMPS-ETE 1953/Christian Dior/PARIS/MADE IN FRANCE. Stamped on label: 33795.

  • Dress, 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.

  • Dress, 1953

    Dior's "New Look" emphasized longer skirts, natural shoulders, a highlighted bust and a slim waist. This dress, made nearly five years after the look was introduced, epitomizes the new, feminine silhouette of the late 1940's and early 1950's.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 Par…