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  • Coat Dress, about 1950

    Coat Dress, about 1950

    This is an interesting dress in that it appears to be a transitional late 1940s style. It includes features of prewar fashion such as the shoulder pads, but also has some of the fullness in the skirt characteristic of circa 1947 New Look styling. It was owned by Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine of Ann Arbor, MI. Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and rail…

  • Strapless Silk Evening Gown with Stole, 1952

    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…

  • Grey and White Houndstooth Wool Suit, 1955

    Grey and White Houndstooth Wool Suit, 1955

    Medium gray and white houndstooth check wool suit. Straight narrow skirt with kick pleat in back. Jacket has four gray buttons, tie front, bracelet length sleeves. Gray silk taffeta lining Clothing Label:JACQUES FATH/PARIS.

  • Strapless Chiffon and Satin Evening Dress, 1952-1953

    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 with Stole, 1951-1952

    Evening Dress with Stole, 1951-1952

    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.

  • Three Piece Knitted Wool Dress Ensemble, 1951-1952

    Three Piece Knitted Wool Dress Ensemble, 1951-1952

    Three-piece yellow knitted wool jersey ensemble. Jacket has jewel neckline, bracelet-length sleeves, narrow cuffs, curved seams, mock flap pockets above bustline. Skirt front has inverted pleat. Bodice has jewel neckline, cap sleeves. Clothing label: MAINBOCHER INC. Mrs. Firestone rarely wore yellow, so this is an unusual choice for her.This garment was owned by Mrs. Harvey Firestone of Detroit, Michigan.

  • Dress, 1952

    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.

  • Rose colored two piece wool knit dress from the 1950s

    Rose colored two piece wool knit dress from the 1950s

    This rose colored woman's two piece wool knit dress has a top with an overall pattern of overlapping horizontal ribbed squares, 3/4 length raglan sleeves with ribbed cuffs, and a round neckline with a ribbed turn-over collar. There is a 6" neck zipper, and a ribbed bottom with belt loops for 3/4" self belt with a brass buckle. The straight skirt has a wide vertical ribbed pattern and an elasticized waistband. Label (in top): "Created by Chevy Chase Knitwear Mills, Inc."

  • Bridesmaid's dress of pale pink silk organza from the 1950s

    Bridesmaid's dress of pale pink silk organza from the 1950s

    Bridesmaid's dress of pale pink silk organza over pink taffeta. Waltz length. Sleeveless. "v" neck. Bodice is pleated in front, appears to cross over. Wide sash of pink and green glace' silk, with bow in back. Circular skirt, with small stiff net panniers underneath. Zipper down back..Pellon underskirt. Label:

  • Blue brocade cocktail dress from the 1950s

    Blue brocade cocktail dress from the 1950s

    This blue, "V" neck floral pattern brocade women's cocktail dress has self-covered buttons down the front, and short, raglan sleeves. The bell-shaped skirt has a wide bow knot in front across the hips. The dress is lined with blue organza, and has a narrow self belt. Label "Christian Dior, New York".

  • Women's suit in a fine brown, pink, blue, white, and black wool tweed from the 1950s

    Women's suit in a fine brown, pink, blue, white, and black wool tweed from the 1950s

    Woman's suit in a fine brown, pink, blue, white, and black wool tweed. The fitted jacket has long sleeves, a round, lapel collar, padded shoulders, and self buttons. It is lined with mauve crepe. The plain straight skirt has a zide zipper. Labels: Kay Cooley, Statler Hotel, Detroit, Birmingham, Michigan, and An Amy Linker Original, imported fabric.

  • Blue wool knit dress from the late 1940s to early 1950s

    Blue wool knit dress from the late 1940s to early 1950s

    Woman's blue wool knit dress; shift style with hidden elastic waist, boat neckline, and cap sleeves. The dress has white, ribbon top knit stripes 1/4" wide in groups of four, running horizontally down the length of the dress. The 1" hem is secured with a stockinet stitch. One of the first knit dreses imported from Italy.