In 1934, as James's reputation as a dressmaker was growing, his mother arranged for a showing of his collection at Marshall Field and Company, Chicago's socialites "came to see their insouciant young friend, whose hats were thought clever but whose...
Worn by Mrs. Foster Adams, née Courtney Letts and then Mrs. John Borden, while she sat for her portrait which hung in the Borden's drawing room. Donor's note: "Made by Chanel, Paris, 1925, for portrait to be painted in London, by Hilary Strain,...
Worn by Mamie Buffenstein on occasion of her marriage to William Nathan (born in Germany, 1882, died in Chicago October 1954) on June 3, 1924 in her parent's home at 1310 S. Lawndale Avenue, Chicago.
This Renaissance-style dress was worn by the donor, née Janet Lawrence, on the occasion of her marriage to Robert McCormick Adams on May 3, 1924 at St. James Episcopal Church in Chicago, followed by a reception at the home of the bride' s parents...
Dior, Christian (designer); Christian Dior, Inc. (designer)
1947
Ballerina Maria Tallchief donated this dress, the Museum's only piece from Dior's historic first collection. Tallchief was prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet for eighteen years and later became the artistic director of Chicago's Lyric...
James, Charles, 1906-1978 (designer); Samuel Winston Inc. (manufacturer)
1951
This dress was initially designed as a ready-to-wear dress for production by Samuel Winston. The precisely placed seams allowed the garment to be tailored to the exact measurements of its wearer. Only one other version is known to still exist: ...
Worn by the donor's Mother, Mrs. Charles DeWitt O'Kieffe, Jr., née Mary Louise Wright, as a wedding dress in a civil ceremony December 31, 1927, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mary Louise Wright was born January 12, 1906 and died November 13, 1985....
