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  • Dress, 1949-1950

    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 with Jacket, 1959

    Dress with Jacket, 1959

    Dark raspberry-pink linen dress and jacket with cut-out stylized leaf design backed with matching pink silk organza. Pink cotton lining. Strapless bodice; 3/4 inch linen belt ties in front. Bolero-style jacket with raglan sleeves, two self-fabric button closures; lapels fold back on either side of square neckline.

  • Dress, 1950

    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…

  • Evening Dress, 1950

    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…

  • 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.

  • Dress Ensemble, 1950-1953

    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.

  • White Linen Print Srapless Dress, 1955

    White Linen Print Srapless Dress, 1955

    Heavy white linen dress printed with medium pink flower and leaf design. Strapless, fitted bodice with heart-shaped neckline. Full skirt. Seams do not match in center-front, sides. Clothing label: BALENCIAGA/10 AVENUE GEORGE V/PARIS. The Henry Ford has interesting correspondence concerning this dress, a design drawing indicating that the original dress had straps, and a photograph of a mannequin in the dress.