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  • 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, 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.