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...
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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...
James, Charles, 1906-1978 (designer); Samuel Winston Inc. (manufacturer)
1952
There are four known versions of this dress, including this one worn by Chicagoan, Mrs. Byron Harvey, Jr. The others belonged to Mrs. Jean de Menil, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, and Mrs. William Randolph Hearst Jr.
