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  • Women's Slippers, about 1800

    Women's Slippers, about 1800

    This style toe was popular in the very late 18th - early 19th century. While these are called slippers, they were actually fairly fashionable shoes. The heel on this pair is very fashionable. The handwork suggests that these were custom made.

  • White Satin Ball Gown with Heavily Beaded Bodice, 1955

    White Satin Ball Gown with Heavily Beaded Bodice, 1955

    Powdery-blue or blue-grey satin evening gown. Floral embroidery of silver, pink and blue-grey colored metallic threads (some appear to be tarnished silver, others may be synthetic) decorated with iridescent rhinestones and tiny sequins. Embroidery diminishes towards bottom of dress; no embroidery at hemline. Skirt smooth and curved in front, gathered in back. At center-back waistline is a large asymmetrical vertical bow with attached sash. Corselet inside of bodice. Bodice stiffened with white c…

  • Ebroidered Organza and Satin Dress with Shawl, about 1957

    Ebroidered Organza and Satin Dress with Shawl, about 1957

    Short evening dress with shawl. Cream organza over satin. Stylized pink thistles with greens stems embroidered down front in silk floss, gold sequins and gold metal. Fitted strapless bodice with two vertical bows on either side of center front waistline. Half-belt in back at the waistline. Corselet in bodice. Stiff nylon underskirt with two layers of nylon tulle. Double organza rectangular shawl with stylized carnation embroidered on center back. This garment was owned by Mrs. Harvey Firestone o…

  • Shoes, 1961

    Shoes, 1961

    These shoes match a dress designed by Bob Bugnand of Paris and New York City, which is also in our collection: object number 89.492.352.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.

  • Ball Gown, 1951

    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…

  • Embroidered Print Silk Chiffon Evening Dress, ca. 1937

    Embroidered Print Silk Chiffon Evening Dress, ca. 1937

    Medium-blue floor-length silk chiffon dress with white spiral print. Some spirals embroidered with white beads and small iridescent sequins. V-shaped neckline edged with self-piping with self-fabric bow at base. Cap sleeves and shoulder pads. Seam at waist with separate self-fabric sash and bow. The chemise shown in the photograph is not the original.

  • White Silk Organza Evening Dress, 1932-1933

    White Silk Organza Evening Dress, 1932-1933

    White silk organza evening dress. Bias-cut bodice with small pieces of organza forming cap/shawl sleeves which hook to center back straps. Criss-crossing straps covered with irridescent white sequins and tiny silver bugle beads. Full skirt covered with scallops, each edged with organza ruffle and decorated with sequins and beads. Self-fabric sash. Back closure of self-fabric buttons and loops. Cream silk crepe chemise. Clutch purse covered in irridescent sequins to match dress. Clothing label: J…

  • 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…

  • Embroidered Cotton Organdy Dress with Stole, 1955

    Embroidered Cotton Organdy Dress with Stole, 1955

    White cotton organdy gown with floral pattern embroidery. Embroidery includes white raffia, silver threads, silver beads, white horsehair, pearl-like sequins, silk(?) flower petals. Embroidery on bodice and wide band at the hem of the skirt. Underneath top layer is one layer of organdy, one layer of nylon stiffened with horsehair, two layers of white nylon net, and white silk slip. Matching wrap is large and oblong with same embroidery and triple scalloped end. Clothing label: PRINTEMPS-ETE 1955…

  • Satin Embroidered Gown with Large Cummerbund Sash, 1950

    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…

  • Silk and Satin Embroidered Evening Dress, 1928

    Silk and Satin Embroidered Evening Dress, 1928

    Dress of turquoise silk georgette over aqua crepe-backed satin. Aqua lace embroidered with gold thread at hem and neckline. Large rhinestone applied bows on left side. Dropped waistline and a slightly uneven hem with longer panels on left side. Clothing label: Peggy Hoyt/16 East 55th St/New York/Henry Firestone/No 6388/Date 5-9-28. This dress is notable for its gorgeous styling, dramatic color, dipping hemline - which would be quite showy on the dance floor - and fabulous matching shoes with hee…

  • Beaded and Embroidered Georgette Evening Dress, 1928-1929

    Beaded and Embroidered Georgette Evening Dress, 1928-1929

    Pink georgette dress embroidered with aqua and silver bugle beads and rhinestones. Rhinestone bow at base of V-shaped neckline. Dropped waistline and uneven scalloped hemline. Very deep, curved V-shaped neckline in back. This dress is not labeled, but the design suggests that it might be a Peggy Hoyt.

  • Tenth Anniversary Dress, 1931

    Tenth Anniversary Dress, 1931

    Off-white silk georgette dress with small silver bugle beads, rhinestones, and iridescent white and opaque beads embroidered in stylized flower and leaf motif at neck flounce, front right side, and around waist. Delicate embroidered rhinestone bow at right waist. Scooped neckline; curved seams over hip. All inset pieces cut on bias. Clothing label: Peggy Hoyt Inc./16 East 55th St. New York. Handwritten on back of label: Mrs. Harvey Firestone/No. 1477/Date 6-3-31. This garment was owned by Elizab…

  • Three-piece Beaded Satin Evening Dress, about 1950

    Three-piece Beaded Satin Evening Dress, about 1950

    Three-piece violet satin evening dress covered with violet bugle beads in random pattern. Separate bodice has heart-shaped neckline with 1 wide straps and 1-1/2 fold-over satin neckline. Bodice built over corselette with attached garters. Separate straight skirt with hip pockets. Separate unbeaded satin belt.

  • Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary Dress with Jacket, 1946

    Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary Dress with Jacket, 1946

    On June 25, 1946, the Firestones threw a fine party at the Ritz Hotel in New York in celebration of their silver (25th) wedding anniversary. Mrs. Firestone never looked thinner or younger than she did when she wore this sheath-like dress made by New York designer Carrie Munn.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…

  • Black silk velvet one piece dress from the early twentieth century

    Black silk velvet one piece dress from the early twentieth century

    Women's black silk velvet, one piece dress having short sleeves, a V-neck, and an ankle length skirt with a peg top. The bodice has black net over white net, and sleeves of plain, double-thick black net. The bodice is trimmed with black and crystal sequins, and jet and crystal beads. The sides of the dress have triangular panniers, shaped with weights. Worn by Mrs. Wm. Traub.

  • White silk charmuese dress from the early twentieth century

    White silk charmuese dress from the early twentieth century

    Woman's white silk charmuese dress with short chiffon sleeves. It has a V-neck that is edged with net, and an ecru lace yoke. The bodice is bloused with a second layer of material bloused to the waist, and heavily trimmed with gold and silver metallic thread, and strings of gold beads. The waist cummerbund lays over the top of a moderately full skirt. An overskirt pannier reaches to the hips, and is trimmed with the same metallic embroidery and gold beads as the bodice. The overskirt is sli…

  • Evening gown of black silk with scroll-leaf brocade pattern from the early twentieth century

    Evening gown of black silk with scroll-leaf brocade pattern from the early twentieth century

    Woman's evening gown of black silk with scroll-leaf brocade pattern; square neckline with net insert, short sleeves, empire style, draped skirt; bodice covered with black sequins, beaded fringe with drop-shaped sequins; ladder shaped jet-bead tassel hanging from center of bodice; black net and sequin panel with beaded fringe down left side. Label: Bertha A. Krenz. Belonged to donor's mother, Mrs. James R. Hayes; Mr. Hayes was proprietor of the Wayne Hotel from the 1880's until 1918. The dress …

  • Light grey silk cocktail or formal gown from the late 1940s to mid 1950s

    Light grey silk cocktail or formal gown from the late 1940s to mid 1950s

    This woman's light grey silk cocktail or formal gown has a flesh-colored yoke that is heavily beaded with pearls, rhinestones, and crystal. It has short sleeves, and a jewel neckline. The natural waistline is also outlined with two rows of beadwork. The skirt is gored and extremely full. It has an 11" hem, and attached petticoats of tan crepe and silk faced bottom interlined with horsehair. Back zipper and covered buttons with loop fastenings where chiffon begins. Worn by donor. Size 12. …

  • Women's navy-beaded purse from the 1950s

    Women's navy-beaded purse from the 1950s

    Woman's navy-beaded purse with satin lining and a metal frame. The closure is a gold clasp of two acorn-shaped pieces. The purse folds in the center. It is decorated with midnight blue beads in flower and vine design across the bottom and the reverse side of the top half which folds over. The purse in completely edged with six rows of beads, and lightly beaded throughout. Matches dress #68.259.002. Label: Made in Belgium. Part of the donor's outfit at an affair honoring her husband's appoi…