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  • Women's Slippers, about 1800

    Women's Slippers, about 1800

    Slippers first acquired ribbons in the 1790s in imitation of the classical sandal; pictures of them around 1800 show elaborate methods for tying them around the leg. Acknowledging their origin as a blend of slipper and sandal, the Lady's Magazine of January 1802 called them "sandal slippers" and reported that they were worn "in the morning by the pedestrian fashionables." At this early date, neither the pattern of lacing nor the presence of ribbon ties was the standard. Some surviving examples, …

  • Shoes, 1935-1940

    Shoes, 1935-1940

    This is one of the few pairs of high heeled shoes in our collection that date from the later 1930s. Mrs. Firestone likely had them 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 impeccable…

  • Platform Sandals, about 1935-1950

    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 …

  • Platform Sandals, 1940-1950

    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, 1940-1950

    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 …

  • Shoes, about 1930

    Shoes, about 1930

    These shoes have no marking or indication of maker. However, we have an identical pair in the collection that also belonged to Mrs. Firestone made by George Pigeon of Brooklyn. Likely these are from the same maker. Mrs. Firestone surely had these 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 l…