Hat, 1955-1965

Hat, 1955-1965

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.

Skullcaps, 1955-1965

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, 1950-1960

This style of shoe was among Mrs. Firestone's very favorites; she wore it consistently for nearly two decades. This pair were likely 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 impeccab…

Shoes, 1950-1965

This style of shoe was among Mrs. Firestone's very favorites; she wore it consistently for nearly two decades. This pair were likely custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. Please note, she rarely wore black after 1930 and we have no black outfits owned by Mrs. Firestone from the 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 l…

Shoes, 1955-1965

Mrs. Firestone likely had these custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. This was a style she favored in the late 1950s and 1960s. The color indicates summer wear.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…

Shoes, about 1955-1965

Please note that this style, which showed "toe cleavage" and is often backless, was Mrs. Firestone's favorite style for nearly two decades. This style was custom made for her in hundreds of colors and fabrics.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 collectio…

Shoes, 1955-1965

Mrs. Firestone surely wore these shoes in 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.

Shoes, about 1960

These shoes were custom made to match a red chiffon dress designed by Bob Bugnand, which is not in our collection. The cut out spiral at throat line was a preferred styling for Mrs. Firestone circa 1960. 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 ill…

Shoes, 1955-1965

This style was Mrs. Firestone's favorite for nearly 15 years. She had many pairs made in this style to match specific couture gowns. 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.

Sou'wester Hat, 1956-1965

This style of hat is referred to as a Sou'wester. This name was originally given to hats worn by sailors at sea to protect them from rain and the stormy sea. It is characterized by a waterproof material and a brim that widens at the back to protect the neck. The shape was eventually adopted and used in fashionable women's wear, such as this example. The bright color, flowers, and straw indicate that this hat was likely worn seasonally in the spring and summer.

Shoes, 1955-1965

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, 1955-1965

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, 1950-1965

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, 1955-1965

This was a style Mrs. Firestone favored in the 1960s. We have several examples of this style covered in other materials.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.

"A" line, wool jersey Women's dress from the 1960s

This "A" line, wool jersey woman's dress (of about knee length) has a black and white herringbone pattern with large black and white flowers applied. The short sleeves are cut in one with the dress. The high, round neck is closed by a back zipper. There is a 7" slit in the left side hem. The sleeve, neck and bust are piped with red and orange to suggest the traditional Chinese side fastening dress. Label: "Dry Clean Only, 100% Wool, Rudi Gernreich design for Harmon knit wear."

Printed silk chiffon cocktail dress from the 1960s

Woman's printed silk chiffon cocktail dress. The fabric design shows a brown and black, stylized floral pattern. The dress is mid-calf length, and has a swirling bias-cut skirt with underlayers of brown chiffon and brown crepe. The bodice has a wide "U" neckline with double cowl collar, and has double ties at back. Long, straight sleeves with zipper closing at wrists. Black button back closing. Wide burnt-orange velvet belt with covered buckle. Label: "Galanos." Worn by Detroit area clot…

Women's black pillbox hat with horsehair frame from the 1960s

Woman's black pillbox hat with horsehair frame entirely covered with shirred black net. Narrow velvet ribbon around edge. Long black face veil edged with grosgrain ribbon ties around neck to pouff veil out. Pale pink satin rosebuds scattered across hat and veil. Label: Ruth Joyce Originals, Detroit.

Evening dress of velveteen and printed cotton from the 1960s

Woman's evening dress of velveteen and printed cotton is above the knee in length, and has an empire waist and a deep V-neck. The bodice is a solid wine colored velveteen with full sleeves. The full gathered skirt is made of velvet cut in quilt blocks with half of each block a bright cotton print of green, red, blue, yellow and white. It is lined in wine taffeta Label: "Gayle Kirkpatrick, New York"

Women's single breasted, gold suede coat from the 1960s

Woman's single breasted, gold suede coat with four gold-color, composition buttons, rounded collar, pockets at side seams, and overstitching in front. The straight sleeves have a vent at the cuff. The three-quarters length coat is lined in gold wool jersey. Worn by donor. Label: A Bonnie Cashin Design, Sills and Co.