
Browse Items (86 total)
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Cocktail dress
Black silk tissue taffeta fit and flare cocktail dress; halter neckline with multiple pleats and intricate seaming through the bustline, two pieces of fabric off of the center back, natural waist dipping at the center back, flare skirt cut on the bias with small pleats, midcalf length. Completely hand over-cast and hand rolled hems. Worn by Valentina. -
Cocktail dress
Pale blue flocked organdy cocktail dress; ground is pale blue with black flocking in floral sprays throughout, diagonal darts for shaping, boned at side seams, normal waist dipping to center back, flare skirt, bias cut, tea length, center back zipper. Most of flocking has detached. Several beige colored stains on skirt. Worn by Valentina. -
Cocktail dress
Black silk brocade cocktail dress; black floral damask of rose bouquets in twill. Sheath-style sleeveless dress; bateau neckline with deep center front slit. Bodice shaped with both vertical and horizontal darting, deep plunging V-back, center back zipper closure with a fabric loop over the top of the zipper, unlined. Worn by Valentina.
From Valentina's wardrobe but does not have the hand finishing of her couture house. -
Detail of back of dress and belt
Beige with brown spatter print silk ensemble. A. Fit and flare dress; normal waist, halter neckline, center back nylon zipper. Halter has a front slit with a reverse, skirt is gathered. Unlined, knee length. E. Belt latches in back with hook and eyes and snap closure. Small, flat bow. Used for Valentina's famous "Quick change" routine.
Goes with coat (Object ID #1995.382.B), jacket (Object ID #1995.382.C), and wrap (Object ID #1995.382.D) to form five piece ensemble. -
Detail of culottes to show shorts
Detail of culottes with front flap pulled away to show shorts.
Dark gray wool twill culotte skirt; floating panel covers both front and back splits, shaped flaps with button on front. Left side front is actual opening, concealing center front zipper in culotte. Knee length. Worn by Valentina. -
Detail of dress and belt without jacket
Beige georgette ensemble of a dress, jacket, and belt. A. Dress has halter neckline that closes at nape with two hook and clip closures; sleeveless; natural waistline; bodice closes at lower center back with five hook and clip closures; skirt gathered at waist, floor length with extra panel that wraps over back closure and is secured with six snaps. C. Belt has six hook and eye closure at back; sits at natural waist; brown decorative arrow detail at center front. Worn with jacket (Object ID #1995.337.B) to form three piece ensemble.
Possibly worn by Valentina. -
Detail of dress, wrap, and belt
Beige with brown spatter print silk ensemble. A. Fit and flare dress; normal waist, halter neckline, center back nylon zipper. Halter has a front slit with a reverse, skirt is gathered. Unlined, knee length. D. Wrap, single piece of fabric. E. Belt latches in back with hook and eyes and snap closure. Small, flat bow. Used for Valentina's famous "Quick change" routine.
Goes with coat (Object ID #1995.382.B) and jacket (Object ID #1995.382.C) to form five piece ensemble. -
Detail of evening gown
Pocket detail in front pleats, velvet appliqués at underside of bust flaps. -
Detail of front of dress and belt
Beige with brown spatter print silk ensemble. A. Fit and flare dress; normal waist, halter neckline, center back nylon zipper. Halter has a front slit with a reverse, skirt is gathered. Unlined, knee length. E. Belt latches in back with hook and eyes and snap closure. Small, flat bow. Used for Valentina's famous "Quick change" routine.
Goes with coat (Object ID #1995.382.B), jacket (Object ID #1995.382.C), and wrap (Object ID #1995.382.D) to form five piece ensemble. -
Detail of inside lining of stole
B. Stole lays across shoulders. Heavy chevron pattern braid in brown and beige holds pleats in back. Self-facings with more braid, unlined. Hand finished. Worn by Valentina. -
Detail of jacket
Beige with brown spatter print silk ensemble. C. Short bolero jacket; jewel neckline, 3/4 length kimono sleeves, cut in one with body of jacket. French darts, unlined. Used for Valentina's famous "Quick change" routine.
Goes with dress (Object ID #1995.382.A), coat (Object ID #1995.382.B), wrap (Object ID #1995.382.D), and belt (Object ID #1995.382.E) to form five piece ensemble. -
Dinner dress
Gold jersey ankle length dinner dress; gathered jewel neckline with small slit on center front, bodice has side seams. High-waisted skirt with seams on center front and princess line, no side seams. Batwing long sleeves, back button closure at neck. Large keyhole upper back is open between neck and midriff, back waist is pieced in five narrow V-shaped panels divided by a metal zipper with hook and eye at top of skirt. Back of skirt has seams on the princess line. Dress is very worn, especially at seams; large repairs on front of bodice, several small patches.
According to Charles Kleibacker this dress is from the personal wardrobe of Gloria Swanson (1899-1983). -
Dress
Black silk tulle surplice wrap dress; v-shaped neckline, straight bracelet-length sleeves cut on the bias, natural waist seam, five button/loop closures at left side front of surplice wrap (two buttons missing), full length bell skirt. Finished with tiny machined French seams. Worn by Valentina. -
Dress
Black silk chiffon fit and flare cocktail dress; band collar with attached tie that pleats into the neckline, underlined with silk crepe. Bodice has halter effect, very bare in back. Dolman sleeves, bias ties stitched down at back waistline, then released. Natural waist dips at center back, gathered skirt, knee length, underlined with silk crepe. Worn by Valentina. -
Dress
Blue linen day dress; jewel neckline with slit, ¾ length kimono sleeves, center front opening with white buttons to the hem (four buttons are missing), two patch pockets on bust, front and back yoke, knee length, unlined. White topstitching throughout. Marked "V. Schlee" at interior back neckline. Worn by Valentina. -
Dress
Brown linen shift dress; jewel neckline with center front slit, eight button center front lap closure, front and back yoke, dolman sleeves, modified brown plastic buttons, two patch pockets at bust, straight skirt, midcalf length. White topstitching throughout. Worn by Valentina. -
Ensemble back without cape
Taupe silk tulle ensemble. A. Dirndl underdress with spaghetti straps, bodice of crepe backed satin with the crepe side showing. Skirt is gathered tulle over taffeta lining, midcalf length. B. Tulle overdress; surplice wrap front with hook and eye closure, long straight sleeves, gathered skirt is mid-calf length. Worn with cape (Object ID #1995.360.C) to form three piece ensemble. Worn by Valentina. -
Ensemble front without cape
Taupe silk tulle ensemble. A. Dirndl underdress with spaghetti straps, bodice of crepe backed satin with the crepe side showing. Skirt is gathered tulle over taffeta lining, midcalf length. B. Tulle overdress; surplice wrap front with hook and eye closure, long straight sleeves, gathered skirt is mid-calf length. Worn with cape (Object ID #1995.360.C) to form three piece ensemble. Worn by Valentina. -
Evening bolero
Black silk faille evening bolero jacket; jewel neckline, shaped hemline in front. Cut on the bias. Bias cut straight long sleeves. Unlined, seams are all hand overcast. Worn over evening gown (Object ID #1995.347). Worn by Valentina.