Maternity Suit, about 1955

This suit was handmade by the donor's mother, Barbara Jean Thomas LaBarge, and worn during at least one of her two pregnancies from late 1952 to mid 1956.

Maternity Suit, about 1955

This suit was worn by the donor's mother, Barbara Jean Thomas LaBarge, during at least one of her two pregnancies from late 1952 to mid 1956.

Maternity Suit, about 1955

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.

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…

Shoes, about 1955

Mrs. Firestone probably wore these shoes during the summer.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.

Fuschia Silk Chiffon Evening Dress, 1953-1955

Fuschia silk chiffon floor-length evening dress. Horizontal tucks in front become vertical in back. Loose, floating panels hang from waistline. This garment was owned by Mrs. Harvey Firestone of Detroit, Michigan.The floating panels would have looked fabulous as Mrs. Firestone danced. She liked this gown very much and had one made in white chiffon as well.

Satin Brocade Evening Dress with Jacket, 1953

Short evening dress with jacket. Off-white silk satin brocade with leaf patterns and mauve, dark blue and light blue stripes with metallic silver and gold threads. Strapless bodice with double diagonal tuck. Short, full skirt softly pleated into waistband, creating fullness at hips. First petticoat is double layer of nylon tulle with rows of horsehair for stiffening; two additional nylon tulle petticoats underneath. Matching jacket with short sleeves and open front, closing with band under bust.…

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…

Satin Jacquard Evening Dress with Diagonal Stripes, about 1947

Satin evening dress with black-and-blue diagonal jacquard stripes. Bodice with wide neckline edged with aqua ribbon; ribbon covered with white lace interspersed with gold metallic thread patterns. Seams in bodice pulled. Elbow-length sleeves. Full-bias twelve-gore skirt edged with black box-pleated ruffle on inside of hem. Clothing label: ORIGINAL/CARRIE MUNN/NEW YORK. This garment was owned by Elizabeth Parke Firestone, daughter of Mr. Harvey Firestone of Detroit, Michigan.Elizabeth Parke Fires…

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.

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, 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…

Turquoise, Silk Taffeta Party Dress, 1953

Turquise colored silk taffeta party dress with matching belt. Dress was worn by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967)at daughter, Barbara Jean's, wedding. This garment was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.