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...
During a visit to the Museum in 1974, James noted that this dress was originally created for Marjorie Merriweather Post. A review of the interior shows numerous alterations, including a large reduction in the overall size of the torso and hips. ...
Worn by Mrs. Robert E. Carroll (née Harriet Bermingham, b. June 3, 1922 in Chicago; m. Sept. 27, 1950; d. Dec. 21, 1967). Mrs. Carroll purchased the dress in 1950 in New York City for her trousseau. The dress was initially sold twisted into a...