James, Charles, 1906-1978 (designer); Marshall Field & Company (distributor)
1954
Charles James originally designed the Butterfly ball gown for Mrs. William Randolph Hearst Jr., for the price of $1,250. The sculptural design lives up to a comment once made by Spanish couturier Cristbal Balenciaga, "Charles James is not only the...
Dior, Christian (designer); Christian Dior, Inc. (designer)
circa 1954
This dress was worn by the donor, Mrs. Henry D. Paschen (Maria Tallchief). Although the donor does not remember altering this garment, there are signs of alterations throughout the bodice, waist and skirt hem. The original lining to the bodice has...
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.
Worth, Charles Frédérick, 1825-1895 (designer); Worth and Bobergh (designer)
1861
Although married in Chicago in 1858, it was not until 1874 that the McCormick family constructed a permanent Chicago residence. They had homes in both New York and Washington and traveled abroad extensively, particularly to European expositions at...
Worn by donor, née Grace Dickerman Vogel on the occasion of her first marriage to Michael Hartman Finnell on September 11, 1954 at St. Charles Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, WI. The dress was designed by Priscilla of Boston to incorporate lace...
In James's ranking of his top four creations, the Pagoda came in at number four for its emphasis on the "fine art of tailoring." Originally designed in 1954, Harper's Bazaar featured the suit in its July 1955 issue, the same year it was purchased...
Court presentation dress worn by donor Mrs. Charles S. Dewey when presented at the Court of St. James in 1927 while her husband was Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury Department. This kind of dress, with its dropped waistline and...
Designed initially in black silk chiffon and tulle, this gown became James's most executed custom order. Vogue featured the garment in 1951. James's wife, Nancy, wore it in the mid 1950s and he created at least one version with a cocktail-length...
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