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- Date Issued:
- [1825 TO 1875]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Mrs. Firestone likely had these shoes 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 impeccable taste in fashion.
- Date Issued:
- [1958 TO 1962]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Rather dirty, but still handsome early 19th century (Empire) waistcoat, with typical high stand collar and short straight foreparts.Exquisite hand done backstitching.White on white embroidery popular in this era.Tab at center back might possibly be for hangingon a knob or peg.
- Date Issued:
- [1805 TO 1815]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- A beautifully constructed, sewn, and finished dress, representing a homemade version of high style. The en tablier trim on the skirt is typical of 1850-55. The bodice and narrow sleeve are 1840s, the collar reminiscent of the 1830's, the skirt trim, ruffles and embroideryof the 1840's.
- Date Issued:
- [1840 TO 1849]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Evening dress of blue chiffon over pink chiffon over metallic lace with pink silk lining. Neckline outlined with fabric flowers in shades of purple, mauve, yellow, pink, green; flowers have some gold embroidery and are interspersed with painted wooden beads in yellow and green. Dropped waistline. Blue hanging sash passes from back of right shoulder across front to left. Hem has wide band of metallic lace, trimmed with flowers. A lovely, early dress from the Firestone collection.This garment was owned by Mrs. Harvey Firestone of Detroit, Michigan.
- Date Issued:
- [1922 TO 1926]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Navy blue silk organza evening dress. Scooped neckline trimmed with ivory lace leaf and rose appliques repeated in falling pattern along left front side and in embroidered vine encircling lower skirt. Very full circular skirt has two layers of organza over of layer of net. Skirt seams have been let out at waist. Dress would be worn over chemise. Clothing label: Salon Moderne/SAKS FIFTH AVENUE. Stamped on label: 804. Handwritten on label: Mrs. H. Firestone/June 30, 1949.
- Date Issued:
- 1949-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The embroidery on this dress is inspired by the French Empire period.Please note that there are matching shoes for this dress in our collection: object number 89.492.352.3.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.
- Date Issued:
- [1958 TO 1964]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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 of Detroit, Michigan.This dress isn't labeled, but was probably designed by Bob Bugnand. Mrs. Firestone referred to it as Bob's carnation dress, although the motif is actually a thistle. The dress was taken to Europe a few times in the late 1950's.
- Date Issued:
- [1955 TO 1960]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- This lovely, loose-flowing Arts and Crafts-inspired dress belonged to Alleen Kelly Feiss and is the only truly higher-style Arts and Crafts girl's dress in The Henry Ford's collection.The Arts and Crafts-style decorative embroidery is quite distinctive.
- Date Issued:
- 1920-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Date Issued:
- [1905 TO 1910]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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: Jean Patou/PARIS.
- Date Issued:
- [1932 TO 1933]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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: 31905.
- Date Issued:
- [1952 TO 1953]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The donor indicated that this was worn by Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer for her wedding sometime between 1838 and 1840. Its styling is that of a wedding or trousseau corset-- lovely and decorative with fancy embroidery. Torso proportions are appropriate for the 1840s, and metal eyelets were not used until this time.Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer was born in 1822. In 1839, she married Charles Henry Palmer, a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Palmer's had five children, Verena Palmer Beaudette, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr., Clarence A. Palmer, Virginia Louise Palmer Pickman, and Philomela Palmer Hoffman.
- Date Issued:
- [1838 TO 1840]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Cream summer evening dress of raw silk with decorative red cord floral applique on collar, cuffs, skirt and belt. Front closure with self-fabric buttons with red embroidery. Clothing label: Salon Moderne/SAKS FIFTH AVENUE. Handwritten on back of label: Mrs. Firestone/1-27-49/473.
- Date Issued:
- 1949-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Two-piece dress and jacket ensemble. Pale gold crepe dress with shallow scooped neckline and short sleeves edged in grosgrain. Dropped waist with pleated side panels edged with dark gold grosgrain ribbons. Pale gold crepe jacket, hip length, embroidered with very narrow (1/8) gold braid in stylized floral pattern. Collar and cuffs trimmed in light brown fur; pale gold silk lining.
- Date Issued:
- [1921 TO 1922]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Blue dress of fine wool twill. Square, gathered neckline. Gathered cap sleeves. Gathered and pleated bodice lined with cotton. Applied waistband. Box-pleated skirt. Hand-embroidered flowered vine motif around sleeves, waist, hem. Sleeve edging embroidered in the pieceand cut from cloth. Center-back closures of hammered wire hooks and threaded eyes. Hand-sewn. Appears to have been altered to fit fuller torso: bodice lining shows stitching removed to let out pleats, skirt changed from gathering to box pleating. This is a boy's or girl's dress of beautiful fine wool twill, probably used for parties and other special occasions. An example of fine hand-sewing, with an exquisitely sewn hem.
- Date Issued:
- [1840 TO 1850]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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 fashion.
- Date Issued:
- [1955 TO 1965]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- This dress reflects the eighteenth century revival look of a pastoral shepherdess. Chambray was not unusual but the seersucker trim was unusual as a trim detail.
- Date Issued:
- [1880 TO 1882]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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 heels studded with brilliants. The American designer, Peggy Hoyt, billed herself as Dressmaker to the Aristocracy.
- Date Issued:
- 1928-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- These are one of the few pairs of 18th century women's shoes in our collection. The extremely pointed toes, small "Italian style" Louis heel, metallic braid and sumptuous trim indicate a late 18th to early 19th century date. These are expensive shoes made for an affluent woman of taste.
- Date Issued:
- [1795 TO 1805]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The form of the waistcoat appears to be late 18th century, but some of the other features are early 19th century.Very coarse linen cotton lining and back fabric.Embroidered in the piece. This waistcoat is slightly padded all along the front panel.The waistcoat was used for winter wear.
- Date Issued:
- [1775 TO 1820]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- [1960 TO 1962]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- 1954-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- [1790 TO 1805]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Pink silk taffeta dress with flowers embroidered in silk on yoke, sleeve cuffs and skirt. High neck, with ruffled lace forming stand collar. Long set-in sleeves with turnover cuffs. Yoke and drop waist with rather crude hand smocking. Short pleated skirt. Center-back opening with four mother-of-pearl buttons. Machine-sewn, but gathering on bodice is done by large hand-stitching. Some top-stitching executed in machine stitches of chain-stitch with silk thread; interior seams of cotton thread in lock-stitch. Barely visible embroidery pattern stamped in blue on pink silk. This is a nice example of a turn-of-the-century young girl's Mother Hubbard-style party dress. Yoke fronts, low waists, and silk art embroidery were popular during the era, and the front bosom is reminiscent of the pigeon breast look that would have been popular in mother's bodices circa 1900. The dress would have been rather short on a young girl. A barely visible embroidery pattern is stamped in blue on the pink silk, perhaps from a mass-produced pattern.
- Date Issued:
- [1900 TO 1910]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- According to the donor, the nightcap was made by Sarah Quigley for her wedding night about 1865. Unfortunately, after completing the nightcap, Sarah Quiqley discoverd that it was too small to wear.
- Date Issued:
- 1865-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- A remarkable example of French embroidery executed with dyed and flattened moosehair.The Upper Great Lakes Natives employed moosehair embroidery work on their goods; however, they clearly adopted French styles here for trade to Europeans.Canadian museums contain a few similar examples, but this is rather rare.
- Date Issued:
- [1825 TO 1835]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Undress or negligee dress was the term given to casual, loose-fitting clothing worn in the morning before changing in to fashionable day dress. Men's embroidered slippers (bright-colored worsted work on canvas) were very popular in the early Victorian period. Ladies magazines often included embroidery patterns for house slippers that a woman mightmake for her husband as a gift. Please note that the term Berlin Work or Berlin Woolwork comes from the fact that the best embroidery patterns came from Germany.The bright-colored worsted wools were used in the embroidery were of German manufacture as well.
- Date Issued:
- [1855 TO 1865]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Strapless summer evening dress of white cotton, machine-embroidered with pink carnations and green stems. Neckline edged with applique carnations. Short full skirt over built-in cotton petticoat with four organdy flounces. Self-fabric belt. Clothing label: Salon Moderne/SAKS FIFTH AVENUE/NEW YORK. Handwritten on back of label: Mrs. H. Firestone/2-25-57/401.
- Date Issued:
- 1957-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Light beige cotton gauze dress with polychromatic, peasant-style, machine-embroidered designs in shades of red, turquoise, purple, green, yellow and pink. Bodice and sleeves have floral and leaf pattern. Smocking at hip line, back of neckline, and cuffs. Collar has turquoise cotton cord ties with tassels. Probably ready-to-wear. This garment was owned by Elizabeth Parke Firestone, daughter of Mr. Harvey Firestone of Detroit, Michigan. An important part of the collection, this dress was purchased for Elizabeth Parke Firestone's 1926 trip to Liberia with her husband. She wore it when she met the President of Liberia and his wife. It is light in color and weight and would have been comfortable in Liberia's summer heat. The peasant-style embroidery was popular in the 1920s and shows the influence of the Ballet Russe and the stage costume designs of Leon Bakst.
- Date Issued:
- 1926-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- "Undies", or casual morning wear to be worn at home, could be quite decorative and fancy in the 19th century. Loose fitting sacques or morning dress for women could be quite elaborate, including elegant footwear. Men, too, enjoyed robes and slippers that could be quite elaborate. Berlin work patterns for slippers were exceedingly popular circa 1850. These slippers are both expensive and quite elaborate for a middle-class man around 1850. They appear little worn. Benjamin Wheeler was, according to the donor, the original owner of these slippers. He was born about 1802 (although some documents put his birth at 1804) in either Maryland or Ireland (the seemingly same Benjamin Wheeler's birth place is listed as either place throughout the century.)He and Ellen, his wife, married at least by 1832; it is plausible that these slippers are part of his wedding clothes. The defined right and left suggest a later date, however. Wheeler moved to Zanesville, Ohio and worked as a laborer in a foundry, and in his sixties worked in a coal mine. His date of death is unclear, but is probably between 1870 and 1880.
- Date Issued:
- [1830 TO 1860]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- According to the source, the dress fabric was originally made and embroidered around 1785, and made over in the early 19th century.
- Date Issued:
- [1825 TO 1829]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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 cotton net. Skirt lined with white silk organza; four layers of white nylon stiffened with horse hair. Inside-skirt of white silk crepe. Clothing label: AUTOMNE-HIVER/Christian Dior/PARIS/MADE IN FRANCE. Stamped on label: 78059. This dress was made for Elizabeth Parke Firestone, daughter of Harvey Samuel Firestone, for the re-opening of the Vienna Opera House, which had been badly damaged during World War II. It was worn with a mik stole; the embroidery is an interpretation of 18th century Chinoiserie. Mrs. Firestone was photographed extensively in this dress. Life Magazine included photos of her in an article about the Vienna Opera re-opening, mentioning this gown specifically. A number of articles also discussed the extraordinary cost of the dress - it was said to cost $10,000, but this cannot be verified. Some columnists claimed that the dress was decorated with real diamonds, but it was not.
- Date Issued:
- 1955-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- [1928 TO 1929]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Date Issued:
- [1825 TO 1875]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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/PARIS. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 37.098. A photograph shows Mrs. Firestone wearing this dress in 1950.This garment was owned by Elizabeth Parke Firestone, daughter of Mr. Harvey Firestone of Detroit, Michigan.
- Date Issued:
- 1950-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- [1936 TO 1938]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- [1925 TO 1936]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- White cotton dress with wide, collar-less neck and slightly belled sleeves. Bodice and skirt gathered; tight gauging along center-front and center-back waist. Empty whalebone casing at center-front. Self-fabric piping at neck, waist and sleeves. White embroidery at hem; hem and cuffs finished with irregular scalloping and crochet trim. Two tucks on skirt. Bodice lined with plain-weave cotton; sleeves and skirt unlined. Bodice open at center-back; hammered-wire hook and eye closures. Hand-sewn. This young girl's dress was for parties and other special occasions, and was probably worn during the summer. The styling mimics adult women's fashions of the time. The sewing and gauging is exquisite.
- Date Issued:
- [1840 TO 1850]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The Henry Ford's only late eighteenth/early nineteenth century dress jacket with breeches.No waistcoat to go with the suit.Worn for very formal occasions, perhaps even for presentation at court.Embroidery clearly pieced.First sewn, then cut out, and finally applied to the jacket and breeches.Poor extensive repairs for a modern wearer.Perhaps at one time used for twentieth century theater productions.
- Date Issued:
- [1790 TO 1810]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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/Christian Dior/PARIS. Stamped on label: 53344. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: 74429.
- Date Issued:
- 1955-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- 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.
- Date Issued:
- 1952-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection