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.
Worn by donor's grandfather, George Walker Meeker, at his wedding to Mary Ellen Forgan Farwain. Mr. Meeker (born July 26, 1854; died April, 1899) lived on Astor Street in Chicago and was a coal merchant.
Worth, Charles Frédérick, 1825-1895 (designer); House of Worth (Firm) (designer)
circa 1900
Worn by Mrs. Colin Powys (Nancy Lathrop Carver Leiter) Campbell, wife of Colonel Colin Powys Campbell, mother of the donor, and daughter of Levi Zeigler Leiter, a pioneer Chicago merchant and associate of Marshall Field and Potter Palmer.
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...
