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...
Anita Carolyn Blair wore this dress to the debut of Gladys High in Chicago, a bold and possibly scandalous choice that would have upstaged the young woman hosting the party.
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); 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...
James created his first Tree gown in 1955; this version followed two years later. He stated that the design used "faille stretched like a ruched membrane over a stiffened shell molded NOT to the figure of the client, but to the shape I wished it...
James launched this mermaid-like gown early in his career and created several versions of it over a period of twenty years. The name of the dress, La Sirène, refers to sea creatures in Greek mythology who used their enchanting voices to lure...
This coat was once a set of drapes that hung in the apartment of Mrs. Potter Palmer II where Mrs. Eugene Davidson moved following Mrs. Palmer's death. The drapes did not suit Mrs, Davidson, so she took them to James and asked him to create a coat...
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: ...
James, Charles, 1906-1978 (designer); Charles James Manufacturers Company (manufacturer)
1955
This dress was made by one of James's numerous business enterprises, Charles James Manufacturers Company, which lasted from 1955 to 1958. Lord and Taylor used the garment in advertisements in the New York Times in 1956, and Harper's Bazaar...
Dior, Christian (designer); Marshall Field & Company (distributor)
1948
This gown is from the first Dior New York Collection designed by Christian Dior. It should be belted very tightly at the waist with a rust colored belt. Worn by donor, Mrs. William Englehaupt (Dorothy Fuller). Dorothy Fuller's name is synonymous...
Wedding coat of Jabez Hamlin (born July 28, 1709 - died April 5, 1779) when he married Margaret Phillips (born August 31, 1713 -died September 6, 1748) in Middletown, Connecticut, on December 6, 1736. Great-great-grandfather of Anna P. Williams....
Worn by Benjamin Peters Hutchinson (1828-1899), grandfather of the donors, when he was married to Sarah Ingalls in Lynn, Massachusetts, circa 1855. Mr. Hutchinson, who was popularly known as "Old Hutch," established the first packing company in...
